Cerebral Organoid Model Provides Clues About Preventing Virus-Induced Brain Cell Death

Cerebral Organoid Model Provides Clues About Preventing Virus-Induced Brain Cell Death

Scientists have determined that La Crosse virus (LACV), which can cause inflammation of the brain in children, affects brain cells differently depending on their developmental stage. Neurons—the primary brain cells of the central nervous system—evolve from neural stem cells and during development “commit” to becoming neurons. A new NIAID study using a cerebral organoid study model shows that uncommitted neural stems cells generally survive LACV infection, while LACV often kills neurons. The study also shows that neurons infected by LACV can be rescued by interferon, a powerful antiviral protein. The study results appear in the Journal of Neuroinflammation.