Impact of EBV infection on cortical neurodevelopment

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the herpesvirus family and is known as the first virus capable of inducing tumors in humans. EBV is commonly associated with infectious mononucleosis, which predominantly affects adolescents. While this is the most common clinical manifestation, recent studies have highlighted the presence of EBV in the central nervous system (CNS), suggesting potential links to neurological diseases. Among the neurological disorders associated with EBV, Rasmussen's encephalitis is a rare and progressive condition that primarily affects children and young adults. This neuroinflammatory encephalopathy is characterized by chronic inflammation of one hemisphere of the brain, leading to neurological damage, persistent seizures, and cognitive, motor, and behavioral deficits. Some research suggests a possible association between EBV and Rasmussen's encephalitis. The mouse model lacks the crucial receptors required for viral entry and persistence. Therefore, cortical neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represent a valuable in vitro model for investigating the interaction between EBV and the nervous system. In this study, cortical neurons were derived from iPSCs and infected with EBV to explore whether the virus could induce a Rasmussen-like phenotype. The infection was performed using EBV obtained from B95-8 cell line, derived from marmoset lymphoblasts.