How reovirus infects and spreads through the brain and nerves
Reovirus Neuropathogenesis
This project looks at how reovirus, a virus that can cause brain infections, gets into nerve cells and moves through the brain to help people affected by viral encephalitis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11140319 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team studies reovirus behavior using lab-grown neurons and animal models to mimic how the virus reaches and spreads in the central nervous system. Researchers are identifying which cell-surface receptors, including a newly discovered receptor called PirB, allow the virus to bind and enter neural cells. They are also tracking how the virus travels inside neurons along axons and which cellular pathways enable its spread. The experiments aim to reveal steps that could be targeted to block infection or neuron-to-neuron transmission.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have had viral encephalitis, caregivers of affected patients, or individuals willing to donate blood or tissue samples for brain infection research would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or those with non-viral neurological conditions are unlikely to receive direct benefits from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat viral encephalitis by stopping the virus from entering or spreading in the brain.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab studies have identified viral receptors and transport pathways and shown promising results in cells and mice, but these findings have not yet been translated into proven treatments for patients.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dermody, Terence S. — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Dermody, Terence S.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.