Abstract

Herpesviruses are capable of infecting not only neurons, where they establish latent infection, but also astrocytes. Since astrocytes are important for the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS), their infection may lead to serious neurological disorders. Thus, in the present study we investigated the ability of human herpesvirus type 2 (HHV-2) to infect primary murine astrocytes in vitro and the effect of infection on their mitochondrial network and actin cytoskeleton. In immunofluorescence assays, antibodies against HHV-2 antigens and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were used to confirm that the infected cells are indeed astrocytes. Real-time PCR analysis showed a high level of HHV-2 replication in astrocytes, particularly at 168 h postinfection, confirming that a productive infection had occurred. Analysis of mitochondrial morphology showed that, starting from the first stage of infection, HHV-2 caused fragmentation of the mitochondrial network and formation of punctate and tubular structures that colocalized with virus particles. Furthermore, during the late stages of infection, the infection affected the actin cytoskeleton and induced formation of actin-based cellular projections, which were probably associated with enhanced intracellular spread of the virus. These results suggest that the observed changes in the mitochondrial network and actin cytoskeleton in productively infected astrocytes are required for effective replication and viral spread in a primary culture of astrocytes. Moreover, we speculate that, in response to injury such as HHV-2 infection, murine astrocytes cultured in vitro undergo transformation, defined in vivo as reactive astrocytosis.

Highlights

  • Astrocytes are the most abundant cells found in the central nervous system (CNS)

  • To confirm infection of primary murine astrocytes by HHV2, a dual immunofluorescence assay for specific viral antigens and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) was performed

  • At 48 h p.i., we observed that infection of cultured astrocytes with Human herpesvirus 2 (HHV-2) induced a cytopathic effect (CPE), which was manifested by changes in cell morphology

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Summary

Introduction

Astrocytes are the most abundant cells found in the central nervous system (CNS). They are responsible for regulating brain functions, including neurogenesis and synaptogenesis, as well as controlling blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability and maintaining homeostasis [20]. HHV-2 is a neurotropic virus that establishes latent infection in neurons, which can serve as reservoirs during subsequent events of virus reactivation. After primary infection of cells of the epithelial lineage, HHV-2 can gain access to sensory neurons, spread to other neurons, and enter the CNS. The clinical manifestations of HHV-2 infection in the CNS are classified into several types: meningitis, encephalitis, sacral radiculitis, and myelitis [18, 22]. Neurons are considered the main target CNS cells for neurotropic herpesviruses, they are

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