Immunological control of Varicella zoster virus (VZV)-infected iPSC-derived brain models by steady-state and immune-compromised astrocytes and microglia.

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a member of the herpesvirus family and is a highly successful and ubiquitous human pathogen. Both in children and in adults, varicella-related complications may lead to hospitalisation. While in children direct neurological complications may occur following primary infection (varicella), in adults vasculitis and neurological complications are not uncommon following reactivation of latent VZV (herpes zoster). With a clear link between VZV and neuropathology, it is inevitable that the immune system of the central nervous system (CNS) will be challenged by VZV. However, to date little is known about how astrocytes and microglia behave upon encounter of VZV in the CNS. In this project, we will address this question using an established human in vitro model of axonal infection of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived CNS neurons with fluorescent reporter VZV stains. Using this model, we will first longitudinal monitor how hiPSC-derived astrocytes and microglia influence the processes of VZV infection, latency and reactivation. Next, using iPSC models derived from VZV patients with mutations in POLRIII, we will investigate whether immune compromised astrocytes and/or microglia can control neuronal VZV infection. Altogether, these studies will help us understanding innate immune control of VZV in the CNS, and will allow - beyond the scope of this project – to develop novel strategies to prevent VZV spreading in the CNS.

Keywords:VARICELLA-ZOSTER VIRUS, INFLAMMATION, NEURONAL AND GLIAL CELLS, STEM CELLS

Disciplines:Applied immunology, Innate immunity, Virology, Stem cell biology, Cell physiology

Project type:Collaboration project