Distinct human viruses display neurotropic properties and can access the central nervous system (CNS) by direct infection of neuronal cells or through disrupted blood-brain-barrier (BBB). Upon neuroinfection, immune responses promoted by T-cells, myeloid cells, and CNS immune resident cells, such as astrocytes and microglia, act as a double-edged sword. Despite the benefits of viral clearance, removal of cellular debris, and tissue repair, the consequences of neuroinflammation are primarily responsible for morbidity and mortality. Therefore, in addition to rapid pathogen identification causing CNS involvement, prognostic biomarkers are helpful tools in patient management at the early stages of the disease, in which neurological sequelae can still be prevented, as well as in the follow-up of successful therapeutic interventions.
Many biomarkers have been described for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This includes cerebrospinal fluid and serum levels of structural components of neurons, such as Tau and neurofilament chains, and S100 beta protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), which are markers of astrocytic activation, and indicators of BBB disruption. However, the definition of biomarkers should consider the specific context of pathogenic processes and there is a lack of biomarkers for CNS manifestations associated with viral diseases. Viruses involved in chronic infections (e.g. HIV and HTLV) are commonly associated with neuroinflammation, which leads to neurological decline and progressive neuronal damage that impairs neurological functions such as motor and cognitive activities. In contrast, acute viral infections can induce a strong CNS inflammation, affecting the brain, meninges, and the spinal cord, causing clinical presentations such as encephalitis, meningitis, and myelitis. In addition, systemic inflammation may also lead to BBB breakdown and the manifestation of encephalopathy. Thus, the research and validation of prognostic biomarkers for viral neuroinfections and diseases associated with clinical and experimental settings represent a key point in determining disease severity and guiding clinicians in patient management.
We will accept several types of articles, including Original Research, Review, Perspective, and Mini Review. The abstract requirement is optional, but Guest Editors should be contacted beforehand to confirm the scope of the manuscript to that of the Research Topic. We particularly welcome contributions that include but are not limited to, the following topics:
1. Identification and analysis of novel biomarkers for diseases associated with viral neuroinfections;
2. Assessment, validation, and interpretation of existing prognostic biomarkers for CNS involvement in viral infections;
3. Biomarkers for monitoring disease progression;
4. Investigation of the pathogenesis of CNS manifestations associated with viral infections;
5. Studies on the dynamics of the BBB in viral neuroinfections;
6. Cerebrospinal fluid, blood or other liquid biopsy biomarkers of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in viral infections;
7. Identification of potential biomarkers of CNS diseases in experimental models of virus infections;
8. Experimental and clinical research studies comparing prognostic markers;
9. Biomarkers for monitoring response to therapeutic modalities.
Distinct human viruses display neurotropic properties and can access the central nervous system (CNS) by direct infection of neuronal cells or through disrupted blood-brain-barrier (BBB). Upon neuroinfection, immune responses promoted by T-cells, myeloid cells, and CNS immune resident cells, such as astrocytes and microglia, act as a double-edged sword. Despite the benefits of viral clearance, removal of cellular debris, and tissue repair, the consequences of neuroinflammation are primarily responsible for morbidity and mortality. Therefore, in addition to rapid pathogen identification causing CNS involvement, prognostic biomarkers are helpful tools in patient management at the early stages of the disease, in which neurological sequelae can still be prevented, as well as in the follow-up of successful therapeutic interventions.
Many biomarkers have been described for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This includes cerebrospinal fluid and serum levels of structural components of neurons, such as Tau and neurofilament chains, and S100 beta protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), which are markers of astrocytic activation, and indicators of BBB disruption. However, the definition of biomarkers should consider the specific context of pathogenic processes and there is a lack of biomarkers for CNS manifestations associated with viral diseases. Viruses involved in chronic infections (e.g. HIV and HTLV) are commonly associated with neuroinflammation, which leads to neurological decline and progressive neuronal damage that impairs neurological functions such as motor and cognitive activities. In contrast, acute viral infections can induce a strong CNS inflammation, affecting the brain, meninges, and the spinal cord, causing clinical presentations such as encephalitis, meningitis, and myelitis. In addition, systemic inflammation may also lead to BBB breakdown and the manifestation of encephalopathy. Thus, the research and validation of prognostic biomarkers for viral neuroinfections and diseases associated with clinical and experimental settings represent a key point in determining disease severity and guiding clinicians in patient management.
We will accept several types of articles, including Original Research, Review, Perspective, and Mini Review. The abstract requirement is optional, but Guest Editors should be contacted beforehand to confirm the scope of the manuscript to that of the Research Topic. We particularly welcome contributions that include but are not limited to, the following topics:
1. Identification and analysis of novel biomarkers for diseases associated with viral neuroinfections;
2. Assessment, validation, and interpretation of existing prognostic biomarkers for CNS involvement in viral infections;
3. Biomarkers for monitoring disease progression;
4. Investigation of the pathogenesis of CNS manifestations associated with viral infections;
5. Studies on the dynamics of the BBB in viral neuroinfections;
6. Cerebrospinal fluid, blood or other liquid biopsy biomarkers of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in viral infections;
7. Identification of potential biomarkers of CNS diseases in experimental models of virus infections;
8. Experimental and clinical research studies comparing prognostic markers;
9. Biomarkers for monitoring response to therapeutic modalities.