title: Molecular mechanisms of neuroinflammation and injury during acute viral encephalitis.
abstract: Viral infections in the central nervous system are a major cause of encephalitis. West Nile virus (WNV) and Herpes simplex virus (HSV) are the most common causes of viral encephalitis in the United States. We review the role of neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of WNV and HSV infections in the central nervous system (CNS). We discuss the role of the innate and cell-mediated immune responses in peripheral control of viral infection, viral invasion of the CNS, and in inflammatory-mediated neuronal injury. By understanding the role of specific inflammatory responses to viral infections in the CNS, targeted therapeutic approaches can be developed to maximize control of acute viral infection while minimizing neuronal injury in the CNS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: Katherine D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Shives
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Infection Diseases, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Tyler
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Infection Diseases, USA. Electronic address: David.beckham@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: J David
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Beckham
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000472:pathogenicity*
keywords: Encephalitis; Herpes simplex virus; Innate immunity; West Nile virus