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Srikanth UK, Marinaik CB, Rao S, Gomes AR, Rathnamma D, Isloor S, T. Lakshmikanth B, K. Siddaramegowda C, Rizwan A, Byregowda SM, Venkatesha MD, Munivenkatarayappa A, Hegde R. Studies on the sequential pathology of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) in Mouse brain: KFD virus induces apoptosis of neurons in cerebrum and hippocampus. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297143. [PMID: 38427645 PMCID: PMC10906829 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The sequential pathology of Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) in mouse brain was assessed in this study. Kyasanur forest disease virus (KFDV) strain P9605 used in this study was confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction targeting the NS5 gene. Mouse Lethal Dose 50 (MLD50) of the virus was determined by in-vivo mice inoculation test. One MLD50 of the KFDV was inoculated intra-cerebrally into 36 mice aged 2-3 weeks. Another group of 36 age-matched mice that served as control group were inoculated with plain media. Six mice each from infected and control groups were euthanized every 24 hrs intervals for six days. Brain tissues were collected in 10% NBF. The collected brain tissues were processed and subjected to histopathological studies by Hematoxylin and Eosin staining. Grossly, the infected mice showed symptoms of dullness, hunched back appearance, weakness, sluggish movements with indication of hind quarter paralysis on day four post-infection. These symptoms got aggravated with complete paralysis of the hind quarters, inability to move and death on 5th and 6th day post-infection. Microscopically, the brain showed apoptosis of neurons, perivascular cuffing, gliosis, congestion, neuropil vacuolation, meningitis, degeneration, and necrotic neurons. The real-time RT-PCR on hippocampus of the KFDV-infected mouse brain showed three-fold higher expression levels of Caspase 3, a crucial mediator of apoptosis. The cerebral cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus that control the motor neuron activities and muscle tone were primarily affected, possibly correlating with the gross symptoms of hind quarter paralysis, ataxia, and other motor neuron dysfunctions noticed. Taken together, these findings reveal that KFDV induces apoptosis of neurons in the cerebrum and hippocampus of KFDV infected mice. Further studies are needed to confirm if the lesions noticed in mice brain simulate the brain lesions in humans since gross motor-neuron symptoms are similar in mice as well as humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ullasgowda K. Srikanth
- Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals, KVAFSU, Bangalore, India
- Veterinary College, KVAFSU, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Suguna Rao
- Veterinary College, KVAFSU, Bangalore, India
| | - Amitha Reena Gomes
- Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals, KVAFSU, Bangalore, India
| | | | | | - Bharath T. Lakshmikanth
- Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals, KVAFSU, Bangalore, India
- Veterinary College, KVAFSU, Bangalore, India
| | - Chinmayie K. Siddaramegowda
- Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals, KVAFSU, Bangalore, India
- Veterinary College, KVAFSU, Bangalore, India
| | - Apsana Rizwan
- Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals, KVAFSU, Bangalore, India
| | | | | | | | - Raveendra Hegde
- Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals, KVAFSU, Bangalore, India
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