Browsing by Author "Carbone, Javier"
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Publication Asymptomatic herpes simplex virus brain infection elicits cellular senescence phenotypes in the central nervous system of mice suffering multiple sclerosis-like disease(2024) Duarte, Luisa; Villalobos, Verónica; Farías, Mónica; Rangel, Maria; González, Enrique; Navarro, Areli; Carbone, Javier; Domínguez, Angélica; Alvarez, Alejandra; Riedel, Claudia; Bueno, Susan; Kalergis, Alexis; Cáceres, Mónica; González, PabloExperimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS) in animals that parallels several clinical and molecular traits of multiple sclerosis in humans. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection mainly causes cold sores and eye diseases, yet eventually, it can also reach the CNS, leading to acute encephalitis. Notably, a significant proportion of healthy individuals are likely to have asymptomatic HSV-1 brain infection with chronic brain inflammation due to persistent latent infection in neurons. Because cellular senescence is suggested as a potential factor contributing to the development of various neurodegenerative disorders, including multiple sclerosis, and viral infections may induce a premature senescence state in the CNS, potentially increasing susceptibility to such disorders, here we examine the presence of senescence-related markers in the brains and spinal cords of mice with asymptomatic HSV-1 brain infection, EAE, and both conditions. Across all scenarios, we find a significant increases of senescence biomarkers in the CNS with some differences depending on the analyzed group. Notably, some senescence biomarkers are exclusively observed in mice with the combined conditions. These results indicate that asymptomatic HSV-1 brain infection and EAE associate with a significant expression of senescence biomarkers in the CNS.Publication Therapeutic challenges in central nervous system viral infections: advancing mesenchymal stem cell-based strategies for treating neuroinflammation and promoting tissue repair(2025) Carbone, Javier; Fontecilla, Javiera; Sales, Nicolás; Chaparro, William; Molina, Alfredo; Ruete, María; González, Pablo; Machuca, Mayra; Opazo, Ma Cecilia; Ezquer, Marcelo; Duarte, LuisaAlthough significant progress has been made in medicine and antimicrobial research, viral infections continue to pose a critical global health challenge, particularly when they involve the central nervous system (CNS). Despite advances in vaccines, antiviral agents, and small molecule therapeutics, current strategies remain insufficient to address the complex consequences of many CNS infections fully. Notably, many viruses are neurotropic and can invade the CNS, triggering infectious neuroinflammation that often lead to chronic neurological disorders and lasting morbidity. Current therapeutic approaches are largely ineffective in preventing or reversing this long-term neurological damage, underscoring the urgent need for innovative prophylactic and therapeutic interventions. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising strategy to counteract chronic neuroinflammation and promote tissue repair following viral CNS infections. This review provides a comprehensive overview of CNS viral infection and neuroinflammation, including epidemiology and pathophysiology, and critically examines the limitations of existing treatments, particularly their inability to mitigate persistent neurological sequelae. Furthermore, we summarize recent preclinical and clinical studies investigating the use of MSCs in the context of CNS viral infections, highlighting their immunomodulatory and neuroprotective mechanisms, and discuss the challenges and future directions for MSC-based therapies in clinical settings.