Mechanisms of Pathogen Invasion into the Central Nervous System

Authors

Matthew D. Cain, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; University of New Mexico, Office of the Medical Investigator
Hamid Salimi, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
Michael S. Diamond, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; The Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
Robyn S. Klein, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USAFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-4-2019

Abstract

CNS infections continue to rise in incidence in conjunction with increases in immunocompromised populations or conditions that contribute to the emergence of pathogens, such as global travel, climate change, and human encroachment on animal territories. The severity and complexity of these diseases is impacted by the diversity of etiologic agents and their routes of neuroinvasion. In this review, we present historical, clinical, and molecular concepts regarding the mechanisms of pathogen invasion of the CNS. We also discuss the structural components of CNS compartments that influence pathogen entry and recent discoveries of the pathways exploited by pathogens to facilitate CNS infections. Advances in our understanding of the CNS invasion mechanisms of different neurotropic pathogens may enable the development of strategies to control their entry and deliver drugs to mitigate established infections.

Recommended Citation

Cain MD, Salimi H, Diamond MS, Klein RS. Mechanisms of Pathogen Invasion into the Central Nervous System. Neuron. 2019 Sep 4;103(5):771-783. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.07.015. PMID: 31487528.