Toll-like receptor 2 signaling is a mediator of apoptosis in herpes simplex virus-infected microglia
2007
TLR2 Signaling and Apoptosis in HSV-Infected Microglia
Sample size: 200000
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Aravalli Rajagopal, Hu Shuxian, Lokensgard James R
Primary Institution: Center for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Translational Research, University of Minnesota Medical School
Hypothesis
TLR2 signaling induces HSV-mediated microglial cell apoptosis.
Conclusion
The study shows that HSV infection induces apoptosis in microglial cells mediated through TLR2 signaling.
Supporting Evidence
- HSV infection induced apoptotic cell death in microglial cells from both wild-type and TLR2-/- mice.
- Cell death was markedly lower in TLR2-/- cells compared to wild-type cells.
- Pro-apoptotic genes were down-regulated in TLR2-/- cells at the time when wild-type cells were undergoing apoptosis.
Takeaway
When a virus infects brain cells, it can make them die, and a special signal called TLR2 helps this happen.
Methodology
Microglial cells from wild-type and TLR2-/- mice were infected with HSV, and apoptosis was assessed using ELISA and TUNEL staining.
Participant Demographics
Microglial cells from wild-type and TLR2-/- C57BL/6 mice.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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