Roles for Microglia in Cryptococcal Brain Dissemination in the Zebrafish Larva
Jacquelyn A. Nielson, J. Muse Davis
Abstract
crosses the blood-brain barrier will be crucial to understanding and possibly preventing brain infection. Using the zebrafish larva as a model host, we show that microglia, the resident phagocytes of the brain, potentially play multiple previously unappreciated roles in cryptococcal infection of the brain. These roles include reinforcing the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, clearing cryptococcal cells after they have crossed, and possibly participating directly in crossing via a previously unknown mechanism.
Topics & Concepts
MicrogliaCryptococcal meningitisZebrafishBiologyMeningitisCryptococcosisHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV)ImmunologyNeuroscienceMedicineInflammationGenePediatricsViral diseaseGeneticsFungal Infections and StudiesAntifungal resistance and susceptibilityCytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research