How Rift Valley fever virus reaches the brain
Official title: Neuropathogenesis of Rift Valley fever virus
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11172450 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are finding out how Rift Valley fever virus moves from a mosquito bite into the brain so future treatments and preventions can be developed.
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 start | August 19, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $580,741 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI183792-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11172450 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living in or traveling to areas where Rift Valley fever occurs, or those at risk of mosquito exposure, are the kinds of patients who could benefit from the findings.
✕Less likely to help
Because this is lab-based animal research, patients currently seeking treatment or immediate therapy will not receive direct benefit or clinical care from this grant.
What this research studies
This research uses mouse models that mimic a mosquito bite and lab-grown cells to trace how Rift Valley fever virus gets from the skin into the central nervous system. Scientists will inject virus into the mouse footpad to simulate a bite and follow whether the virus crosses the blood–brain barrier, travels inside immune cells, or moves along nerves. They will study how inflammation and damage to endothelial cells affect barrier function and use in vitro experiments to pinpoint molecular steps in that process. Understanding these routes aims to reveal targets for vaccines or drugs that could stop the virus from reaching the brain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify ways to prevent or treat the dangerous brain infections caused by Rift Valley fever virus.
How similar studies have gone: Similar animal and cell-model approaches have clarified how other viruses reach the brain, but the exact routes used by Rift Valley fever virus are still not well defined.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcelroy, Anita K — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Mcelroy, Anita K
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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.