IL-10 mitigates inflammation within the CNS during West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease.

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Presentation Time: 03:15 PM - 04:30 PM
Poster Board Number: B652
Abstract ID: 5936

Presenting Author:
Nadeem Y Halasah , Undergraduate Student Researcher at Cal Poly, Pomona

Abstract:

West Nile virus (WNV) causes a severe CNS infection in humans, primarily in the elderly and immunocompromised. Prior studies revealed that IL-10, primarily through the suppression of antiviral and proinflammatory cytokine production, predominately has a negative role in WNV immunity. However, in the absence of a critical DC-subset, IL-10-expressing lymphocyte infiltration was reduced in the WNV-infected CNS and excessive inflammation and immunopathology caused increased susceptibility to WNND. These results suggest a neuroprotective role of IL-10. Preliminary findings demonstrate CD8+ T cells as major IL-10 producers at day 12 post-infection compared with animals deficient in CD8a+DEC-205+ DCs. We intend to validate these observations by assessing IL-10 production in infiltrating cells expressing CD4, CD11b, and CD11c. Additionally, we will administer anti-IL-10 monoclonal antibody (mAb) post-WNV infection to neutralize IL-10's effects within the CNS. Monitoring survival and viral burden after intracranial injection of aIL-10 mAb or control IgG, our study seeks to elucidate IL-10's protective role in WNND by mitigating inflammation.