The microbiota protects from viral-induced neurologic damage through microglia-intrinsic TLR signaling.

ABSTRACT: Symbiotic microbes impact the function and development of the central nervous system (CNS); however, little is known about the contribution of the microbiota during viral-induced neurologic damage. We identify that commensals aid in host defense following infection with a neurotropic virus through enhancing microglia function. Germfree mice or animals that receive antibiotics are unable to control viral replication within the brain leading to increased paralysis. Microglia derived from germfree or antibiotic-treated animals cannot stimulate viral-specific immunity and microglia depletion leads to worsened demyelination. Oral administration of toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands to virally infected germfree mice limits neurologic damage. Homeostatic activation of microglia is dependent on intr

SUBMITTER: Brown DG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6634972 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature