Immune and antiviral response in central nervous system of mice experimentally infected with rabies virus strains isolated from different species

Abstract

Rabies control is considered a worldwide challenge. Different virus strains (RABV) are isolated from different species, they have distinct immunogenic characteristics as well in their nucleotides sequence, allowing their classification into variants and genotypes. Furthermore, differences in pathogenicity have also been observed through experimental inoculation in mice and cell cultures. The mechanisms by which RABV infects an individual and perpetuated the infection in nature have not been fully clarified. However some factors that lead to successful infection are already established, among the most important we can mention the ability to induce apoptosis of T cells and maintain the integrity and functionality of neurons. These events are mediated by cytokines that regulate several genes involved in this complex process still poorly understood. Considering the diversity of viral strains circulating and the complexity of events involved in the neuroinvasiveness of RABV this project aims to study the gene expression pathway, immune response and pathogenicity of different virus strain by means of experimental inoculation in mice. (AU)