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Alphaherpesvirus infection of mice primes PNS neurons to an inflammatory state regulated by TLR2 and type I IFN signaling

Author(s): Laval, Kathlyn; Van Cleemput, Jolien; Vernejoul, Jonah B; Enquist, Lynn W

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Abstract: Pseudorabies virus (PRV), an alphaherpesvirus closely related to Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) and Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV1) infects mucosa epithelia and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) of its host. We previously demonstrated that PRV infection induces a specific and lethal inflammatory response, contributing to severe neuropathy in mice. So far, the mechanisms that initiate this neuroinflammation remain unknown. Using a mouse footpad inoculation model, we found that PRV infection rapidly and simultaneously induces high G-CSF and IL-6 levels in several mouse tissues, including the footpad, PNS and central nervous system (CNS) tissues. Interestingly, this global increase occurred before PRV had replicated in dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) neurons and also was independent of systemic inflammation. These high G-CSF and IL-6 levels were not caused by neutrophil infiltration in PRV infected tissues, as we did not detect any neutrophils. Efficient PRV replication and spread in the footpad was sufficient to activate DRGs to produce cytokines. Finally, by using knockout mice, we demonstrated that TLR2 and IFN type I play crucial roles in modulating the early neuroinflammatory response and clinical outcome of PRV infection in mice. Overall, these results give new insights into the initiation of virus-induced neuroinflammation during herpesvirus infections.
Publication Date: 1-Nov-2019
Citation: Laval, Kathlyn, Van Cleemput, Jolien, Vernejoul, Jonah B, Enquist, Lynn W. (2019). Alphaherpesvirus infection of mice primes PNS neurons to an inflammatory state regulated by TLR2 and type I IFN signaling.. PLoS pathogens, 15 (11), e1008087 - e1008087. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1008087
DOI: doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1008087
ISSN: 1553-7366
EISSN: 1553-7374
Pages: e1008087 - e1008087
Language: eng
Type of Material: Journal Article
Journal/Proceeding Title: PLoS Pathogens
Version: Final published version. This is an open access article.



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