QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

HOME  |   SEARCH  |   ARCHIVE  |   SUBSCRIBE  |   CONTACT  |   HELP

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Rinaman, L. Articles by Enquist, L. W. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Rinaman, L. Articles by Enquist, L. W.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Journal of Neuroscience, Vol 13, 685-702, Copyright © 1993 by Society for Neuroscience

ARTICLE

Spatiotemporal responses of astrocytes, ramified microglia, and brain macrophages to central neuronal infection with pseudorabies virus

L Rinaman, JP Card and LW Enquist
Medical College of Pennsylvania, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Philadelphia 19129.

We examined the responses of astrocytes, ramified microglia, and brain macrophages to CNS neuronal infection with virulent or attenuated strains of a swine alpha herpesvirus (pseudorabies virus, PRV). After PRV inoculation of the rat stomach or pancreas, the temporal course of viral replication and induced pathology of infected neurons were assessed in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) and amygdala using an antiserum generated against PRV. Specific monoclonal antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), OX42, and ED1 and morphological criteria were used to classify non-neuronal cells. Both PRV strains infected DMV and motor neurons and then passed transneuronally to infect brainstem neurons that innervate the DMV. However, the onset of neuronal infection produced by the attenuated strain occurred approximately 20 hr later than infection with the virulent strain. Animals infected with the attenuated strain also survived longer, permitting transneuronal passage of virus into forebrain areas of the visceral neuraxis. Neuronal infection with both PRV strains produced consistent alterations in astrocytes, ramified microglia, and brain macrophages that correlated spatially and temporally with progressive stages of viral replication and neuronal pathology. Early stages of infection were characterized by increases in immunoreactivity for astrocytic GFAP and microglial OX42 that preceded overt signs of neuronal pathology. At later stages, GFAP immunoreactivity decreased dramatically in focal areas of neuronal infection while OX42 immunoreactivity continued to increase. Subsequently, ED1-immunoreactive brain macrophages infiltrated these infected areas. Double immunocytochemical labeling demonstrated that some astrocytes and brain macrophages were immunopositive for viral antigens but ramified microglia were not. The responses of glia and brain macrophages are consistent with a proposed role in restricting extracellular spread of virus by isolating or phagocytosing infected cells. These phenomena may contribute to the specific transneuronal transport exhibited by PRV.

Home  |   Search  |   Archive  |   Subscribe  |   Contact  |   Help