In 2022-23, the world witnessed the largest recorded outbreak of monkeypox virus (MPXV). Neurological manifestations were reported alongside the detection of MPXV DNA and MPXV-specific antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients. Here, we analyze the susceptibility of neural tissue to MPXV using human neural organoids (hNOs) exposed to a clade IIb isolate. We report susceptibility of several cell types to the virus, including neural progenitor cells and neurons. The virus efficiently replicates in hNOs, as indicated by the exponential increase of infectious viral titers and establishment of viral factories. Our findings reveal focal enrichment of viral antigen alongside accumulation of cell-associated infectious virus, suggesting viral cell-to-cell spread. Using an mNeonGreen-expressing recombinant MPXV, we confirm cell-associated virus transmission. We furthermore show the formation of beads in infected neurites, a phenomenon associated with neurodegenerative disorders. Bead appearance precedes neurite-initiated cell death, as confirmed through live-cell imaging. Accordingly, hNO-transcriptome analysis reveals alterations in cellular homeostasis and upregulation of neurodegeneration-associated transcripts, despite scarcity of inflammatory and antiviral responses. Notably, tecovirimat treatment of MPXV-infected hNOs significantly reduces infectious virus loads. Our findings suggest that viral disruption of neuritic transport drives neuronal degeneration, potentially contributing to MPXV neuropathology and revealing targets for therapeutic intervention.
Monkeypox virus spreads from cell-to-cell and leads to neuronal death in human neural organoids.
阅读:2
作者:Schultz-Pernice Isabel, Fahmi Amal, Brito Francisco, Liniger Matthias, Chiu Yen-Chi, David Teodora, Oliveira Esteves Blandina I, Golomingi Antoinette, Zumkehr Beatrice, Gerber Markus, Jandrasits Damian, Züst Roland, Steiner Selina, Wotzkow Carlos, Blank Fabian, Engler Olivier B, Summerfield Artur, Ruggli Nicolas, Baud David, Alves Marco P
期刊: | Nature Communications | 影响因子: | 15.700 |
时间: | 2025 | 起止号: | 2025 Jun 30; 16(1):5376 |
doi: | 10.1038/s41467-025-61134-0 |
特别声明
1、本文转载旨在传播信息,不代表本网站观点,亦不对其内容的真实性承担责任。
2、其他媒体、网站或个人若从本网站转载使用,必须保留本网站注明的“来源”,并自行承担包括版权在内的相关法律责任。
3、如作者不希望本文被转载,或需洽谈转载稿费等事宜,请及时与本网站联系。
4、此外,如需投稿,也可通过邮箱info@biocloudy.com与我们取得联系。