Browsing by Author "Bohmwald Prieto, Karen"

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    Contribution of pro-inflammatory molecules induced by respiratory virus infections to neurological disorders
    (MDPI AG, 2021) Bohmwald Prieto, Karen; Andrade Parra, Catalina Andrea; Kalergis Parra, Alexis Mikes
    Neurobehavioral alterations and cognitive impairment are common phenomena that represent neuropsychiatric disorders and can be triggered by an exacerbated immune response against pathogens, brain injury, or autoimmune diseases. Pro-inflammatory molecules, such as cytokines and chemokines, are produced in the brain by resident cells, mainly by microglia and astrocytes. Brain infiltrating immune cells constitutes another source of these molecules, contributing to an impaired neurological synapse function, affecting typical neurobehavioral and cognitive performance. Currently, there is increasing evidence supporting the notion that behavioral alterations and cognitive impairment can be associated with respiratory viral infections, such as human respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, and SARS-COV-2, which are responsible for endemic, epidemic, or pandemic outbreak mainly in the winter season. This article will review the brain0s pro-inflammatory response due to infection by three highly contagious respiratory viruses that are the leading cause of acute respiratory illness, morbidity, and mobility in infants, immunocompromised and elderly population. How these respiratory viral pathogens induce increased secretion of pro-inflammatory molecules and their relationship with the alterations at a behavioral and cognitive level will be discussed.
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    Functional Impairment of Mononuclear Phagocyte System by the Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus
    (2017) Bohmwald Prieto, Karen; Espinoza, J.; Pulgar, R.; Jara, E.; Kalergis Parra, Alexis Mikes
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    Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Infection and Pathology
    (2016) Bohmwald Prieto, Karen; Espinoza Véliz, Janyra Alejandra; Rey Jurado, Emma; Gómez Johnson, Roberto Sebastian; González Muñoz, Pablo Alberto; Bueno Ramírez, Susan; Riedel, Claudia A.; Kalergis Parra, Alexis Mikes
    The human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is by far the major cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs) worldwide in infants and children younger than 2 years. The overwhelming number of hospitalizations due to hRSV-induced ALRTI each year is due, at least in part, to the lack of licensed vaccines against this virus. Thus, hRSV infection is considered a major public health problem and economic burden in most countries. The lung pathology developed in hRSV-infected individuals is characterized by an exacerbated proinflammatory and unbalanced Th2-type immune response. In addition to the adverse effects in airway tissues, hRSV infection can also cause neurologic manifestations in the host, such as seizures and encephalopathy. Although the origins of these extrapulmonary symptoms remain unclear, studies with patients suffering from neurological alterations suggest an involvement of the inflammatory response against hRSV. Furthermore, hRSV has evolved numerous mechanisms to modulate and evade the immune response in the host. Several studies have focused on elucidating the interactions between hRSV virulence factors and the host immune system, to rationally design new vaccines and therapies against this virus. Here, we discuss about the infection, pathology, and immune response triggered by hRSV in the host.
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    Lung pathology due to hRSV infection impairs blood–brain barrier permeability enabling astrocyte infection and a long-lasting inflammation in the CNS
    (2021) Bohmwald Prieto, Karen; Soto Ramírez, Jorge Andrés; Andrade Parra, Catalina Andrea; Fernández Fierro, Ayleen Lorena; Espinoza Véliz, Janyra Alejandra; Rios Raggio, Mariana; Eugenin, E. A.; González Muñoz, Pablo Alberto; Opazo, M. C.; Kalergis Parra, Alexis Mikes