The University of Pittsburgh researchers uncovered a surprising link between Alzheimer's disease and herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) which suggests that viral infections may play a role in the disease.
Washington [USA], January 6 (ANI): The
University of Pittsburgh researchers uncovered a surprising link between
Alzheimer's disease and herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) which suggests that
viral infections may play a role in the disease.
The study has been published in Cell Reports. It revealed how tau
protein, often viewed as harmful in Alzheimer's, might initially protect the
brain from the virus but contribute to brain damage later.
"Our study challenges the conventional view of tau as solely
harmful, showing that it may initially act as part of the brain's immune
defense," said senior author Or Shemesh, PhD, assistant professor in the
Department of Ophthalmology at Pitt.
These findings could lead to new
treatments targeting infections and the brain's immune response.
"These findings emphasize the complex interplay between
infections, immune responses and neurodegeneration, offering a fresh
perspective and potential new targets for therapeutic development," added
Shemesh.
The scientists identified forms of
HSV-1-related proteins in Alzheimer's brain samples, with greater amounts of
viral proteins co-localized with tangles of phosphorylated tau. It is one of
the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease pathology in the brain regions which are
especially vulnerable to Alzheimer's across disease stages.
Further studies on miniature models of human brains in a Petri
dish suggested that HSV-1 infection could modulate levels of brain tau protein
and regulate its function, a protective mechanism that seemed to decrease
post-infection death of human neurons.
While the precise mechanisms by which HSV-1 influences tau protein and
contributes to Alzheimer's disease are still unknown, Shemesh and his
colleagues plan to explore those questions in future research.
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