Innate immune response gene expression profiles in central nervous system of mice infected with rabies virus

The present study was focused on the modulation of innate immune response genes in CNS of mouse in response to rabies virus (RABV) infection. The global gene expression changes in brains of RABV- or mock-infected mice were investigated using DNA microarray analysis and quantitative real-time PCR. Then functional enrichment of the differentially expressed mRNAs was performed. Microarray analysis showed that 390 genes in brain were significantly (P < 0.01) regulated in response to RABV infection, with obviously up-regulated genes like interferon (IFN) stimulated genes (ISGs), IFN inducible transcription factors, cytokines and complement, etc. The significant pathways of differentially expressed genes are mainly involved in JAK-STAT signaling pathway, antigen processing and presentation, ubiquitin mediated proteolysis and complement cascades. The results suggest that the modulated genes in infected CNS were possibly involved in pathogenesis of rabies. Conversely, they may have protective effects.