Anti-inflammatory drugs decrease infection of brain endothelial cells with EHV-1 in vitro.
Authors: Goehring L S, Brandes K, Ashton L V, Wittenburg L A, Olea-Popelka F J, Lunn D P, Soboll Hussey G
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Anti-inflammatory Drugs and EHV-1 Brain Endothelial Infection EHV-1 myeloencephalopathy develops when the virus breaches the blood–brain barrier by infecting endothelial cells lining spinal cord vasculature during cell-associated viraemia, a process dependent on direct contact between infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells and endothelial tissue. Researchers hypothesised that the inflammatory cascade accompanying viraemia upregulates adhesion molecules on both infected immune cells and endothelial surfaces, thereby increasing cellular contact and facilitating viral entry into the vascular endothelium. Using an in vitro model of equine brain microvascular endothelial cells exposed to EHV-1-infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells, the team demonstrated that anti-inflammatory drugs (specifically NSAIDs and potentially other immunomodulators) significantly reduced endothelial cell infection rates compared to untreated controls. These findings suggest that controlling the inflammatory response during EHV-1 infection may limit adhesion molecule expression and thereby reduce the likelihood of viral breach of the blood–brain barrier, potentially offering a therapeutic avenue to prevent or mitigate neurological complications. For practitioners, this research provides mechanistic support for aggressive anti-inflammatory management during EHV-1 outbreaks, though clinical efficacy in vivo requires further investigation.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Anti-inflammatory medications may have therapeutic potential in preventing EHV-1 neurological complications by reducing endothelial cell infection
- •Targeting inflammation-driven adhesion molecule upregulation could be a strategy to limit spread of EHV-1 to the spinal cord vasculature
- •Further in vivo studies needed before clinical recommendations, but results suggest adjunctive anti-inflammatory therapy warrants investigation in EHM cases
Key Findings
- •Anti-inflammatory drugs decrease infection of brain endothelial cells with EHV-1 in vitro
- •EHV-1 endothelial cell infection requires contact between infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells and endothelial cells
- •Inflammation upregulates adhesion molecule expression on both infected and endothelial cells, facilitating viral transmission