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Dithmer S, Blasig IE, Fraser PA, Qin Z, Haseloff RF. The Basic Requirement of Tight Junction Proteins in Blood-Brain Barrier Function and Their Role in Pathologies. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5601. [PMID: 38891789 PMCID: PMC11172262 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
This review addresses the role of tight junction proteins at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Their expression is described, and their role in physiological and pathological processes at the BBB is discussed. Based on this, new approaches are depicted for paracellular drug delivery and diagnostics in the treatment of cerebral diseases. Recent data provide convincing evidence that, in addition to its impairment in the course of diseases, the BBB could be involved in the aetiology of CNS disorders. Further progress will be expected based on new insights in tight junction protein structure and in their involvement in signalling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Dithmer
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany (I.E.B.)
| | - Ingolf E. Blasig
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany (I.E.B.)
| | | | - Zhihai Qin
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Reiner F. Haseloff
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany (I.E.B.)
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2
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Trevino TN, Fogel AB, Otkiran G, Niladhuri SB, Sanborn MA, Class J, Almousawi AA, Vanhollebeke B, Tai LM, Rehman J, Richner JM, Lutz SE. Engineered Wnt7a ligands rescue blood-brain barrier and cognitive deficits in a COVID-19 mouse model. Brain 2024; 147:1636-1643. [PMID: 38306655 PMCID: PMC11068107 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Respiratory infection with SARS-CoV-2 causes systemic vascular inflammation and cognitive impairment. We sought to identify the underlying mechanisms mediating cerebrovascular dysfunction and inflammation following mild respiratory SARS-CoV-2 infection. To this end, we performed unbiased transcriptional analysis to identify brain endothelial cell signalling pathways dysregulated by mouse adapted SARS-CoV-2 MA10 in aged immunocompetent C57Bl/6 mice in vivo. This analysis revealed significant suppression of Wnt/β-catenin signalling, a critical regulator of blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. We therefore hypothesized that enhancing cerebrovascular Wnt/β-catenin activity would offer protection against BBB permeability, neuroinflammation, and neurological signs in acute infection. Indeed, we found that delivery of cerebrovascular-targeted, engineered Wnt7a ligands protected BBB integrity, reduced T-cell infiltration of the brain, and reduced microglial activation in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Importantly, this strategy also mitigated SARS-CoV-2 induced deficits in the novel object recognition assay for learning and memory and the pole descent task for bradykinesia. These observations suggest that enhancement of Wnt/β-catenin signalling or its downstream effectors could be potential interventional strategies for restoring cognitive health following viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Troy N Trevino
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Avital B Fogel
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Guliz Otkiran
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Seshadri B Niladhuri
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Mark A Sanborn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Jacob Class
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ali A Almousawi
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Benoit Vanhollebeke
- Laboratory of Neurovascular Signaling, Department of Molecular Biology, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Gosselies B-6041, Belgium
| | - Leon M Tai
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Jalees Rehman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Justin M Richner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Sarah E Lutz
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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3
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Syage A, Pachow C, Cheng Y, Mangale V, Green KN, Lane TE. Microglia influence immune responses and restrict neurologic disease in response to central nervous system infection by a neurotropic murine coronavirus. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1291255. [PMID: 38099152 PMCID: PMC10719854 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1291255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Intracranial (i.c.) inoculation of susceptible mice with a glial-tropic strain of mouse hepatitis virus (JHMV), a murine coronavirus, results in an acute encephalomyelitis followed by viral persistence in white matter tracts accompanied by chronic neuroinflammation and demyelination. Microglia serve numerous functions including maintenance of the healthy central nervous system (CNS) and are among the first responders to injury or infection. More recently, studies have demonstrated that microglia aid in tailoring innate and adaptive immune responses following infection by neurotropic viruses including flaviviruses, herpesviruses, and picornaviruses. These findings have emphasized an important role for microglia in host defense against these viral pathogens. In addition, microglia are also critical in optimizing immune-mediated control of JHMV replication within the CNS while restricting the severity of demyelination and enhancing remyelination. This review will highlight our current understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which microglia aid in host defense, limit neurologic disease, and promote repair following CNS infection by a neurotropic murine coronavirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Syage
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Collin Pachow
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Yuting Cheng
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Vrushali Mangale
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Kim N. Green
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Thomas E. Lane
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Center for Virus Research, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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4
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Burnett FN, Coucha M, Bolduc DR, Hermanns VC, Heath SP, Abdelghani M, Macias-Moriarity LZ, Abdelsaid M. SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Intensifies Cerebrovascular Complications in Diabetic hACE2 Mice through RAAS and TLR Signaling Activation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16394. [PMID: 38003584 PMCID: PMC10671133 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetics are more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 neurological manifestations. The molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2-induced cerebrovascular dysfunction in diabetes are unclear. We hypothesize that SARS-CoV-2 exacerbates diabetes-induced cerebrovascular oxidative stress and inflammation via activation of the destructive arm of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was injected in humanized ACE2 transgenic knock-in mice. Cognitive functions, cerebral blood flow, cerebrovascular architecture, RAAS, and TLR signaling were used to determine the effect of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in diabetes. Studies were mirrored in vitro using human brain microvascular endothelial cells treated with high glucose-conditioned media to mimic diabetic conditions. Spike protein exacerbated diabetes-induced cerebrovascular oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial cell death resulting in an increase in vascular rarefaction and diminished cerebral blood flow. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein worsened cognitive dysfunction in diabetes compared to control mice. Spike protein enhanced the destructive RAAS arm at the expense of the RAAS protective arm. In parallel, spike protein significantly exacerbated TLR signaling in diabetes, aggravating inflammation and cellular apoptosis vicious circle. Our study illustrated that SAR-CoV-2 spike protein intensified RAAS and TLR signaling in diabetes, increasing cerebrovascular damage and cognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith N. Burnett
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Mercer University, Savannah, GA 31404, USA; (F.N.B.); (V.C.H.); (S.P.H.); (M.A.)
| | - Maha Coucha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, South University, Savannah, GA 31406, USA; (M.C.); (L.Z.M.-M.)
| | - Deanna R. Bolduc
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Mercer University, Savannah, GA 31404, USA; (F.N.B.); (V.C.H.); (S.P.H.); (M.A.)
| | - Veronica C. Hermanns
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Mercer University, Savannah, GA 31404, USA; (F.N.B.); (V.C.H.); (S.P.H.); (M.A.)
| | - Stan P. Heath
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Mercer University, Savannah, GA 31404, USA; (F.N.B.); (V.C.H.); (S.P.H.); (M.A.)
| | - Maryam Abdelghani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Mercer University, Savannah, GA 31404, USA; (F.N.B.); (V.C.H.); (S.P.H.); (M.A.)
| | - Lilia Z. Macias-Moriarity
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, South University, Savannah, GA 31406, USA; (M.C.); (L.Z.M.-M.)
| | - Mohammed Abdelsaid
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Mercer University, Savannah, GA 31404, USA; (F.N.B.); (V.C.H.); (S.P.H.); (M.A.)
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Trevino TN, Fogel AB, Minshall R, Richner JM, Lutz SE. Caveolin-1 mediates neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in SARS-CoV-2 infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.18.563024. [PMID: 37905019 PMCID: PMC10614946 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.18.563024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Leukocyte infiltration of the CNS can contribute to neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. Brain endothelial cells regulate adhesion, activation, and diapedesis of T cells across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in inflammatory diseases. The integral membrane protein Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) critically regulates BBB permeability, but its influence on T cell CNS infiltration in respiratory viral infections is unknown. In this study, we sought to determine the role of Cav-1 at the BBB in neuroinflammation in a COVID-19 mouse model. We used mice genetically deficient in Cav-1 to test the role of this protein in T cell infiltration and cognitive impairment. We found that SARS-CoV-2 infection upregulated brain endothelial Cav-1. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 infection increased brain endothelial cell vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and CD3+ T cell infiltration of the hippocampus, a region important for short term learning and memory. Concordantly, we observed learning and memory deficits. Importantly, genetic deficiency in Cav-1 attenuated brain endothelial VCAM-1 expression and T cell infiltration in the hippocampus of mice with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, Cav-1 KO mice were protected from the learning and memory deficits caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. These results indicate the importance of BBB permeability in COVID-19 neuroinflammation and suggest potential therapeutic value of targeting Cav-1 to improve disease outcomes.
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Furman S, Green K, Lane TE. COVID-19 and the impact on Alzheimer's disease pathology. J Neurochem 2023:10.1111/jnc.15985. [PMID: 37850241 PMCID: PMC11024062 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly escalated into a global pandemic that primarily affects older and immunocompromised individuals due to underlying clinical conditions and suppressed immune responses. Furthermore, COVID-19 patients exhibit a spectrum of neurological symptoms, indicating that COVID-19 can affect the brain in a variety of manners. Many studies, past and recent, suggest a connection between viral infections and an increased risk of neurodegeneration, raising concerns about the neurological effects of COVID-19 and the possibility that it may contribute to Alzheimer's disease (AD) onset or worsen already existing AD pathology through inflammatory processes given that both COVID-19 and AD share pathological features and risk factors. This leads us to question whether COVID-19 is a risk factor for AD and how these two conditions might influence each other. Considering the extensive reach of the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating impact of the ongoing AD pandemic, their combined effects could have significant public health consequences worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Furman
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine 92697
| | - Kim Green
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine 92697
| | - Thomas E. Lane
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine 92697
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine 92697, USA
- Center for Virus Research, University of California, Irvine 92697, USA
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Usai C, Mateu L, Brander C, Vergara-Alert J, Segalés J. Animal models to study the neurological manifestations of the post-COVID-19 condition. Lab Anim (NY) 2023; 52:202-210. [PMID: 37620562 PMCID: PMC10462483 DOI: 10.1038/s41684-023-01231-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
More than 40% of individuals infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have experienced persistent or relapsing multi-systemic symptoms months after the onset of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) has debilitating effects on the daily life of patients and encompasses a broad spectrum of neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms including olfactory and gustative impairment, difficulty with concentration and short-term memory, sleep disorders and depression. Animal models have been instrumental to understand acute COVID-19 and validate prophylactic and therapeutic interventions. Similarly, studies post-viral clearance in hamsters, mice and nonhuman primates inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 have been useful to unveil some of the aspects of PCC. Transcriptomic alterations in the central nervous system, persistent activation of immune cells and impaired hippocampal neurogenesis seem to have a critical role in the neurological manifestations observed in animal models infected with SARS-CoV-2. Interestingly, the proinflammatory transcriptomic profile observed in the central nervous system of SARS-CoV-2-inoculated mice partially overlaps with the pathological changes that affect microglia in humans during Alzheimer's disease and aging, suggesting shared mechanisms between these conditions. None of the currently available animal models fully replicates PCC in humans; therefore, multiple models, together with the fine-tuning of experimental conditions, will probably be needed to understand the mechanisms of PCC neurological symptoms. Moreover, given that the intrinsic characteristics of the new variants of concern and the immunological status of individuals might influence PCC manifestations, more studies are needed to explore the role of these factors and their combinations in PCC, adding further complexity to the design of experimental models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Usai
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
- IRTA Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Lourdes Mateu
- Infectious Disease Service, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute and Hospital, Badalona, Spain
| | - Christian Brander
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Institute for Health Science Research Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
- University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Júlia Vergara-Alert
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
- IRTA Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Joaquim Segalés
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain.
- Department de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra, Spain.
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Peron JPS. Direct and indirect impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the brain. Hum Genet 2023; 142:1317-1326. [PMID: 37004544 PMCID: PMC10066989 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-023-02549-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
Although COVID-19 is mostly a pulmonary disease, it is now well accepted that it can cause a much broader spectrum of signs and symptoms and affect many other organs and tissue. From mild anosmia to severe ischemic stroke, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the central nervous system is still a great challenge to scientists and health care practitioners. Besides the acute and severe neurological problems described, as encephalopathies, leptomeningitis, and stroke, after 2 years of pandemic, the chronic impact observed during long-COVID or the post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) greatly intrigues scientists worldwide. Strikingly, even asymptomatic, and mild diseased patients may evolve with important neurological and psychiatric symptoms, as confusion, memory loss, cognitive decline, chronic fatigue, associated or not with anxiety and depression. Thus, the knowledge on the correlation between COVID-19 and the central nervous system is of great relevance. In this sense, here we discuss some important mechanisms obtained from in vitro and in vivo investigation regarding how SARS-CoV-2 impacts the brain and its cells and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P S Peron
- Neuroimmune Interactions Laboratory, Department of Immunology, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1730 Lab 232. Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05508-000, Brazil.
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Gressett TE, Leist SR, Ismael S, Talkington G, Dinnon KH, Baric RS, Bix G. Mouse Adapted SARS-CoV-2 Model Induces "Long-COVID" Neuropathology in BALB/c Mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.18.533204. [PMID: 36993423 PMCID: PMC10055301 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.18.533204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused significant global morbidity and mortality and continues to burden patients with persisting neurological dysfunction. COVID-19 survivors develop debilitating symptoms to include neuro-psychological dysfunction, termed "Long COVID", which can cause significant reduction of quality of life. Despite vigorous model development, the possible cause of these symptoms and the underlying pathophysiology of this devastating disease remains elusive. Mouse adapted (MA10) SARS-CoV-2 is a novel mouse-based model of COVID-19 which simulates the clinical symptoms of respiratory distress associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice. In this study, we evaluated the long-term effects of MA10 infection on brain pathology and neuroinflammation. 10-week and 1-year old female BALB/cAnNHsd mice were infected intranasally with 10 4 plaque-forming units (PFU) and 10 3 PFU of SARS-CoV-2 MA10, respectively, and the brain was examined 60 days post-infection (dpi). Immunohistochemical analysis showed a decrease in the neuronal nuclear protein NeuN and an increase in Iba-1 positive amoeboid microglia in the hippocampus after MA10 infection, indicating long-term neurological changes in a brain area which is critical for long-term memory consolidation and processing. Importantly, these changes were seen in 40-50% of infected mice, which correlates to prevalence of LC seen clinically. Our data shows for the first time that MA10 infection induces neuropathological outcomes several weeks after infection at similar rates of observed clinical prevalence of "Long COVID". These observations strengthen the MA10 model as a viable model for study of the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 in humans. Establishing the viability of this model is a key step towards the rapid development of novel therapeutic strategies to ameliorate neuroinflammation and restore brain function in those suffering from the persistent cognitive dysfunction of "Long-COVID".
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