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A hitchhiker’s guide to the nervous system: the complex journey of viruses and toxins

Salinas, S.; Schiavo, G.; Kremer, E. J.

Nat Rev Microbiology

2010-09 / vol 8 / pages 645-55

Abstract

To reach the central nervous system (CNS), pathogens have to circumvent the wall of tightly sealed endothelial cells that compose the blood-brain barrier. Neuronal projections that connect to peripheral cells and organs are the Achilles heels in CNS isolation. Some viruses and bacterial toxins interact with membrane receptors that are present at nerve terminals to enter the axoplasm. Pathogens can then be mistaken for cargo and recruit trafficking components, allowing them to undergo long-range axonal transport to neuronal cell bodies. In this Review, we highlight the strategies used by pathogens to exploit axonal transport during CNS invasion.

Read on PubMed

nrmicro2395 [pii] 10.1038/nrmicro2395

1740-1534 (Electronic) 1740-1526 (Linking)

Tags

*Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; *Virus Physiological Phenomena; Axonal Transport; Bacterial Toxins/*metabolism; Blood-Brain Barrier; Nervous System/*microbiology/*virology

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