RealFeedApp Herpes virus reprograms brain immune cells
A study in PLOS Pathogens found that HSV-1 reprograms microglia, potentially explaining its role in triggering Alzheimer's and dementia.
- Field
- microbes and viruses
- What they did
- Researchers discovered that the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) can reprogram microglia, specialized immune cells in the brain that normally protect it.
- Why it matters
- This finding helps explain how the herpes virus contributes to inflammation and increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease, as reprogrammed cells lose their ability to clear damaged tissue from the brain.
#herpes simplex virus#microglia#alzheimer's disease#brain immunity
