Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases ameliorates blood-brain barrier disruption and neuropathological lesions caused by avirulent Semliki Forest virus infection

Entry receptor LDLRAD3 is required for Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus peripheral infection and neurotropism leading to pathogenesis in mice

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is an encephalitic alphavirus responsible for epidemics of neurological disease across the Americas. Low-density lipoprotein receptor class A domain-containing 3 (LDLRAD3) is a recently reported entry receptor for VEEV. Here, using wild-type and Ldlrad3-deficient mice, we define a critical role for LDLRAD3 in controlling steps in VEEV infection, pathogenesis, and neurotropism. Our analysis shows that LDLRAD3 is required for efficient VEEV infection and pathogenesis prior to and after central nervous system invasion. Ldlrad3-deficient mice survive intranasal and intracranial VEEV inoculation and show reduced infection of neurons in different brain regions. As LDLRAD3 is a determinant of pathogenesis and an entry receptor required for VEEV infection of neurons of the brain, receptor-targeted therapies may hold promise as countermeasures.

Screening of Upregulated Genes in Suckling Mouse Central Nervous System during the Disease Stage of Rabies Virus Infection

The pathogenesis of hydrophobia remains unclear. The aim of this study was to identify the differentially upregulated genes that correlated with disease development in an experimental mouse model to provide better understanding of pathological mechanisms in rabies. The present work employed Clontech mouse array 1.2 II containing 1,176 gene transcripts. Suckling mice were intracerebrally infected with canine rabies virus. The gene expression profiles on day 2, 4 and 6 post inoculation were followed. The results show genes whose expression increased at least twofold above the control, mock-infected brain. The numbers of genes showing altered expression level were 29, 109 and 98 genes on day 2, 4 and 6, respectively. The genes with altered expression were classified into eight major groups, namely immune response, metabolism, receptor and transporter, growth factors, death mediated factors, transcription and translation factors, proteases, and kinases. The numbers of upregulated genes during the disease stage was much higher than during the asymptomatic stage. This suggested that direct interaction between RABV and target cells induced massive destruction of a cellular homeostasis which may lead to functional termination of the CNS.

Mouse models for Chikungunya virus: deciphering immune mechanisms responsible for disease and pathology

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an alphavirus, has been responsible for large epidemic outbreaks with serious economic and social impact during the last 6 years. Transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, it causes Chikungunya fever, an acute illness in patients with a stooped posture often associated with chronic and incapacitating arthralgia. The unprecedented re-emergence has stimulated renewed interest in CHIKV. This review discusses the advantages and disadvantages of different animal models for CHIKV infections and their importance to study the role of the immune system in different pathologies caused by CHIKV. We also reveal how such studies still present a difficult challenge, but are indispensible for mechanistic studies to further understand the pathophysiology of CHIKV infections.

The role of the blood-brain barrier during Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus infection

Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus is a mosquito-borne alphavirus associated with sporadic outbreaks in human and equid populations in the Western Hemisphere. After the bite of an infected mosquito, the virus initiates a biphasic disease: a peripheral phase with viral replication in lymphoid and myeloid tissues, followed by a neurotropic phase with infection of central nervous system (CNS) neurons, causing neuropathology and in some cases fatal encephalitis. The mechanisms allowing VEE virus to enter the CNS are currently poorly understood. Previous data have shown that the virus gains access to the CNS by infecting olfactory sensory neurons in the nasal mucosa of mice. However, at day 5 after inoculation, the infection of the brain is multifocal, indicating that virus particles are able to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). To better understand the role of the BBB during VEE virus infection, we used a well-characterized mouse model system. Using VEE virus replicon particles (VRP), we modeled the early events of neuroinvasion, showing that the replication of VRP in the nasal mucosa induced the opening of the BBB, allowing peripherally administered VRP to invade the brain. Peripheral VEE virus infection was characterized by a biphasic opening of the BBB. Further, inhibition of BBB opening resulted in a delayed viral neuroinvasion and pathogenesis. Overall, these results suggest that VEE virus initially enters the CNS through the olfactory pathways and initiates viral replication in the brain, which induces the opening of the BBB, allowing a second wave of invading virus from the periphery to enter the brain.

Methamphetamine transiently increases the blood-brain barrier permeability in the hippocampus: role of tight junction proteins and matrix metalloproteinase-9

Methamphetamine (METH) is a powerful stimulant drug of abuse that has steadily gained popularity worldwide. It is known that METH is highly neurotoxic and causes irreversible damage of brain cells leading to neurological and psychiatric abnormalities. Recent studies suggested that METH-induced neurotoxicity might also result from its ability to compromise blood-brain barrier (BBB) function. Due to the crucial role of BBB in the maintenance of brain homeostasis and protection against toxic molecules and pathogenic organisms, its dysfunction could have severe consequences. In this study, we investigated the effect of an acute high dose of METH (30mg/kg) on BBB permeability after different time points and in different brain regions. For that, young adult mice were sacrificed 1h, 24h or 72h post-METH administration. METH increased BBB permeability, but this effect was detected only at 24h after administration, being therefore a transitory effect. Interestingly, we also found that the hippocampus was the most susceptible brain region to METH, comparing to frontal cortex and striatum. Moreover, in an attempt to identify the key players in METH-induced BBB dysfunction we further investigated potential alterations in tight junction (TJ) proteins and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). METH was able to decrease the protein levels of zonula occludens (ZO)-1, claudin-5 and occludin in the hippocampus 24h post-injection, and increased the activity and immunoreactivity of MMP-9. The pre-treatment with BB-94 (30mg/kg), a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor, prevented the METH-induced increase in MMP-9 immunoreactivity in the hippocampus. Overall, the present data demonstrate that METH transiently increases the BBB permeability in the hippocampus, which can be explained by alterations on TJ proteins and MMP-9.

Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor blocks the production of West Nile virus-induced neuroinflammatory markers in astrocytes

Inflammatory immune responses triggered initially to clear West Nile virus (WNV) infection later become detrimental and contribute to the pathological processes such as blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption and neuronal death, thus complicating WNV-associated encephalitis (WNVE). It has been demonstrated previously that WNV infection in astrocytes results in induction of multiple matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which mediate BBB disruption. Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes and their product, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), modulate neuroinflammation and regulate the production of multiple inflammatory molecules including MMPs. Therefore, this study determined and characterized the pathophysiological consequences of the expression of COX enzymes in human brain cortical astrocytes (HBCAs) following WNV infection. Whilst COX-1 mRNA expression did not change, WNV infection significantly induced RNA and protein expression of COX-2 in HBCAs. Similarly, PGE2 production was also enhanced significantly in infected HBCAs and was blocked in the presence of the COX-2-specific inhibitor NS-398, thus suggesting that COX-2, and not COX-1, was the source of the increased PGE2. Treatment of infected HBCAs with NS-398 attenuated the expression of MMP-1, -3 and -9 in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, expression of interleukin-1β, -6 and -8, which were markedly elevated in infected HBCAs, exhibited a significant reduction in their levels in the presence of NS-398. These results provide direct evidence that WNV-induced COX-2/PGE2 is involved in modulating the expression of multiple neuroinflammatory mediators, thereby directly linking COX-2 with WNV disease pathogenesis. The ability of COX-2 inhibitors to modulate WNV-induced COX-2 and PGE2 signalling warrants further investigation in an animal model as a potential approach for clinical management of neuroinflammation associated with WNVE.

Reversal of West Nile virus-induced blood-brain barrier disruption and tight junction proteins degradation by matrix metalloproteinases inhibitor

Though compromised blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a pathological hallmark of WNV-associated neurological sequelae, underlying mechanisms are unclear. We characterized the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in WNV-infected human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMVE) and human brain cortical astrocytes (HBCA), components of BBB and their role in BBB disruption. Expression of multiple MMPs was significantly induced in WNV-infected HBCA cells. Naïve HBMVE cells incubated with the supernatant from WNV-infected HBCA cells demonstrated loss of tight junction proteins, which were rescued in the presence of MMP inhibitor, GM6001. Further, supernatant from WNV-infected HBCA cells compromised the in vitro BBB model integrity. Our data suggest astrocytes as one of the sources of MMP in the brain, which mediates BBB disruption allowing unrestricted entry of immune cells into the brain, thereby contributing to WNV neuropathogenesis. Because of the unavailability of WNV antivirals and vaccines, use of MMP inhibitors as an adjunct therapy to ameliorate WNV disease progression is warranted.

Distinct cell tropism of canine distemper virus strains to adult olfactory ensheathing cells and Schwann cells in vitro

Canine distemper virus (CDV) can enter the brain via infection of olfactory neurons. Whether olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are also infected by CDV, and if yes, how they respond to the virus has remained enigmatic. Here, we exposed adult canine OECs in vitro to several attenuated (CDV-2544, CDV-R252, CDV-Ond, CDV-OndeGFP) and one virulent CDV strain (CDV-5804PeGFP) and studied their susceptibility compared to Schwann cells, a closely related cell type sharing the phagocytizing activity. We show that OECs and Schwann cells were infected by CDV strains albeit to different levels. Ten days post-infection (dpi), a mild to severe cytopathic effect ranging from single cell necrosis to layer detachment was noted. The percentage of infection increased during 10 dpi and viral progenies were detected in each culture using virus titration. Interestingly, CDV-2544, CDV-OndeGFP, and CDV-5804PeGFP predominantly infected OECs, while CDV-Ond targeted Schwann cells. No significant differences were found between the virulent and attenuated CDV strains. The observation of a CDV strain-specific cell tropism is evidence for significant molecular differences between OECs and Schwann cells. Whether these differences are either related to strain-specific distemper pathogenesis or support a role of OECs during CDV infection and virus spread needs to be addressed in future studies.

Correlation between breakdown of the blood-brain barrier and disease outcome of viral encephalitis in mice

Changes in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) were evaluated in two mouse models of viral encephalitis. The ability of sodium fluorescein (NaFl) to cross the BBB from the serum into the central nervous system was assayed in animals inoculated with virulent strains of either Banzi or Semliki Forest viruses. To test the hypothesis that increases in BBB permeability were associated with poor disease outcome subsequent experiments measured BBB permeability in conjunction with treatment with the interferon inducer Ampligen (poly I:poly C(12)U). A single intraperitoneal injection of Ampligen (1 mg/kg) administered either 24 h or 4-6 h before, but not 24 h after, virus inoculation with Banzi virus provided significant improvements in survival, viral brain titers, weight change and BBB permeability. In comparison, a similar treatment with Ampligen administered either 24 h or 4-6 h before inoculation with Semliki Forest virus was able to significantly improve weight change, and BBB permeability, but only animals receiving Ampligen 4-6 h pre-virus showed a significantly improved mortality. In general, it was found that evaluation of BBB permeability was a more sensitive indicator of disease outcome and the antiviral efficacy Ampligen than either weight change or brain viral titers.

TIMP-1/MMP-9 imbalance in brain edema in rats with fulminant hepatic failure

BACKGROUND

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is a devastating disease. When coma sets in, brain edema develops, changing FHF into a lethal condition. Liver transplantation is the definitive treatment. However, a third of these patients die as the result of brain edema before a donor becomes available. Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), or TIMP, and MMP-9 are implicated in ischemic brain edema. We thus hypothesized that an imbalance in TIMP-1/MMP-9 relationship plays a role in the development of increased brain extravasation and edema in FHF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

FHF was induced with a single intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine (250 mg/kg). Control rats received saline. GM6001, a synthetic MMP inhibitor, was administered (30 mg/kg) every 12 h for 3 doses starting at 12 h after D-galactosamine injection. MMP-9 was assayed with standard gelatin zymography. Brain extravasation, a measurement of the blood-brain barrier permeability, was determined with Evans blue. Brain edema was determined using specific gravity method.

RESULTS

The active MMP-9 in the systemic circulation was significantly increased in the comatose FHF as compared to the precoma FHF and control animals (6.5 +/- 0.7 versus 4.6 +/- 0.4 versus 2.6 +/- 0.5 pg/microg, respectively; P < 0.05). Conversely, TIMP-1 was steadily decreased in precoma and coma FHF rats by 35% and 45%, respectively. Blocking MMP-9 activity with GM6001 significantly attenuated brain extravasation and edema in rats with FHF.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study strongly supports that the perturbation of decreased TIMP-1 and increased MMP-9 contributes to the pathogenesis of brain edema in FHF. Our findings present a potential therapeutic approach to effectively increase the window of opportunity for life-saving liver transplantation.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 is associated with blood-brain barrier opening and brain edema formation after cortical contusion in rats

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are associated with blood-brain opening and may be involved in the pathophysiology of acute brain injury. Previous research demonstrated that knockout mice deficient in MMP-9 subjected to transient focal cerebral ischemia had reduced blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and attenuated cerebral infarction. In this study, we examined MMP-9 up-regulation, BBB disruption, and brain edema formation after cortical impact injury in rats. Cortical contusion was induced by controlled cortical impact. Animals were sacrificed at intervals after injury. MMP up-regulation was assessed by gelatin zymography, and BBB integrity was evaluated using Evans blue dye with a spectrophotometric assay. Brain water content was measured by comparing wet and dry weights of each hemisphere as an indicator of brain edema. Zymograms showed elevated MMP-9 as early as at 3 hours after injury, reaching a maximum at 18 hours. Peak levels of BBB disruption occurred 6 hours after injury. Brain edema became progressively more severe, peaking 24 hours after injury. Compared to control group, treatment with MMP-inhibitor GM6001 significantly reduced BBB disruption 6 hours and brain water content (85.9 +/- 0.5% vs. 82.6 +/- 0.3%; p < 0.05) 24 hours after injury. These findings suggest that MMP-9 may contribute to BBB disturbance and subsequent brain edema after traumatic brain injury.