biostudies-literatureGaume LEC | Horizon 2020 Framework Programme (H2020)EC | Horizon 2020 Framework Programmee0069024https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11237604biostudies-literatureUnknown12(6)Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is associated with neurological conditions such as acute meningitis and encephalitis. The virus is detected in the bloodstream, and high blood viral loads are associated with central nervous system (CNS) manifestations. We used an <i>in vitro</i> blood-brain barrier (BBB) model made up of human brain-like endothelial cells (hBLECs) and brain pericytes grown in transwell systems to investigate whether three genetically distinct EV-A71 strains (subgenogroups C1, C1-like, and C4) can cross the human BBB. EV-A71 poorly replicated in hBLECs, which released moderate amounts of infectious viruses from their luminal side and trace amounts of infectious viruses from their basolateral side. The barrier properties of hBLECs were not impaired by EV-A71 infection. We investigatMicrobiology spectrumEnterovirus A71 crosses a human blood-brain barrier model through infected immune cells.PMC11237604OrganoVIR Grant 812673Henquell CDehouck LLopez-Coqueiro IBailly J-LMirand AChabrolles HArchimbaud CGaume LGosselet FBisseux MfalseEnterovirus A71 crosses a human blood-brain barrier model through infected immune cells.Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is associated with neurological conditions such as acute meningitis and encephalitis. The virus is detected in the bloodstream, and high blood viral loads are associated with central nervous system (CNS) manifestations. We used an <i>in vitro</i> blood-brain barrier (BBB) model made up of human brain-like endothelial cells (hBLECs) and brain pericytes grown in transwell systems to investigate whether three genetically distinct EV-A71 strains (subgenogroups C1, C1-like, and C4) can cross the human BBB. EV-A71 poorly replicated in hBLECs, which released moderate amounts of infectious viruses from their luminal side and trace amounts of infectious viruses from their basolateral side. The barrier properties of hBLECs were not impaired by EV-A71 infection. We investigat2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Jun2026-07-16T12:51:14.273Z2025-04-04T07:27:56.372ZS-EPMC112376043875273110.1128/spectrum.00690-24