Targeted RNA Sequencing of VZV-Infected Brain Vascular Adventitial Fibroblasts Indicates That Amyloid May Be Involved in VZV Vasculopathy

Discussion
Gene expression profiles and pathway enrichment analysis of VZV-infected HBVAFs, as well as phenotypic studies, reveal features of pathologic vascular remodeling (e.g., increased cell migration and changes in the extracellular matrix) that can contribute to cerebrovascular disease. Furthermore, the discovery of amyloid-associated transcriptional pathways and intracellular amyloid deposition in HBVAFs raise the possibility that VZV vasculopathy is an amyloid disease. Amyloid deposition may contribute to cell death and loss of vascular wall integrity, as well as potentiate chronic inflammation in VZV vasculopathy, with disease severity and recurrence determined by the host's ability to clear virus infection and amyloid deposition and by the coexistence of other amyloid-associated diseases (i.e., Alzheimer disease and diabetes mellitus).

Source: Neurology Neuroimmunology and Neuroinflammation - November 10, 2021 Category: Neurology Authors: Bubak, A. N., Como, C. N., Hassell, J. E., Mescher, T., Frietze, S. E., Niemeyer, C. S., Cohrs, R. J., Nagel, M. A. Tags: Vasculitis, Viral infections, All Cerebrovascular disease/Stroke, All Cognitive Disorders/Dementia, Gene expression studies Article Source Type: research