The aim is to investigate how HSV-1 infection affects microglial behavior and synapse maintenance in the brain.
Utilized murine primary brain cultures and tissues
Induced HSV-1 infection
Analyzed complement activation and microglial response
HSV-1 infection led to increased complement activation
Complement-mediated microglial phagocytosis of damaged synapses was observed
Findings support a link between HSV-1 and neurodegeneration
Abstract
Our data indicate that HSV-1 infection triggers aberrant complement activation and complement-mediated microglial engulfment of damaged synapses, further supporting the role of HSV-1 in neurodegeneration.