Author:
Lei Yuxuan,Sun Ying,Wu Weihua,Liu Hui,Wang Xin,Shu Yuelong,Fang Shisong
Abstract
AbstractInfluenza H7N9 virus causes human infections with about 40% case fatality rate. The severe cases usually present with pneumonia; however, some present with central nervous system complications. Pneumonia syndrome is attributed to the cytokine storm after infection with H7N9, but the pathogenic mechanism of central nervous system complications has not been clarified. This study used immortalized human brain microvascular endothelial cells hCMEC/D3 to simulate the blood-brain barrier. It demonstrated that H7N9 virus could infect brain microvascular endothelial cells and compromise the blood-brain barrier integrity and permeability by down-regulating the expression of cell junction-related proteins, including claudin-5, occludin, and vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin. These results suggested that H7N9 could infect the blood-brain barrier in vitro and affect its functions, which could be a potential mechanism for the pathogenesis of H7N9 viral encephalopathy.
Funder
National Key Research and Development Program of China
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Basic Research of Shenzhen
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Infectious Diseases,Virology