Visualizing viral dissemination in the mouse nervous system, using a green fluorescent protein-expressing Borna disease virus vector.
Borna disease virus (BDV) frequently persists in the brain of infected animals. To analyze viral dissemination in the mouse nervous system, we generated a mouse-adapted virus that expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP). This viral vector supported GFP expression for up to 150 days and possessed an extraordinary staining capacity, visualizing complete dendritic arbors as well as individual axonal fibers of infected neurons. GFP-positive cells were first detected in cortical areas from where the virus disseminated through the entire central nervous system (CNS). Late in infection, GFP expression was found in the sciatic nerve, demonstrating viral spread from the central to the peripheral nervous system.
Ackermann
Andreas
A
Department of Virology, University of Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 11, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.
Guelzow
Timo
T
Staeheli
Peter
P
Schneider
Urs
U
Heimrich
Bernd
B
D000818:Animals; D001890:Borna Disease / Q000821:virology*; D001891:Borna disease virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009420:Nervous System / Q000821:virology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods
D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins