Essential role of RIG-I in the activation of endothelial cells by dengue virus

Dengue virus (DENV) infection is associated to exacerbated inflammatory response and structural and functional alterations in the vascular endothelium. However, the mechanisms underlying DENV-induced endothelial cell activation and their role in the inflammatory response were not investigated so far. We demonstrated that human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) are susceptible to DENV infection, which induces the expression of the cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptor (PRR) RIG-I. Infection of HBMECs promoted an increase in the production of type I IFN and proinflammatory cytokines, which were abolished after RIG-I silencing. DENV-infected HBMECs also presented a higher ICAM-1 expression dependent on RIG-I activation as well. On the other hand, ablation of RIG-I did not interfere with virus replication. Our data suggest that RIG-I activation by DENV may participate in the disease pathogenesis through the modulation of cytokine release and expression of adhesion molecules, probably contributing to leukocyte recruitment and amplification of the inflammatory response.

► Human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) are susceptible to DENV infection.
► DENV infection upregulates RIG-I expression in HBMECs.
► DENV infection induces the production of IFN-β and inflammatory cytokines in HBMECs.
► DENV infection enhances ICAM-I expression in HBMECs.
► Enhanced cytokine production and ICAM-1 expression are dependent on RIG-I activation.