Abstract P436: Increased West Nile Virus Infection And Pathology In The Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat

• DOI: 10.1161/hyp.80.suppl_1.p436
• Publication Date: 2023-10-11T13:02:49Z
• Authors: Linda F Hayward; Jasenka A Zubcevic; Allison Stahl; Jeremy Evans; Tao Yang; Serena Craft; Erika R Schwarz; Kelli L Barr; Sally Beachboard; Maureen T Long
• Keywords: Histopathology; CD68; Flavivirus

Introduction: West Nile virus (WNV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, causes grave neuroinvasive disease and death, has been reported in over 55,000 people the US since 1999. Patients >55 years those with hypertension are most at risk for WNV-associated mortality. Understanding how correlates WNV morbidity mortality may reduce burden of this disease. Investigation hypertensive is limited to basic epidemiology. Without an animal model, understanding causal relationship between pathology remains elusive. Here, we tested novel hypothesis that will promote infection rodent model age-dependent chronic hypertension, spontaneously rat (SHR). Methods: Male adult SHR normotensive WKY rats were implanted radiotelemetry transmitters measurements blood pressure heart rate. Following baseline measurements, (N=9/gp) injected (1 X 10 4 PFU/ml, i.p.). Vehicle injection (PBS, i.p.) was performed additional (N=2-3/gp). Each observed clinical abnormalities, body weight, pressure, rate measured daily. Rats sacrificed on days 9 post-infection (PI). At endpoint, several tissues processed measurement viral load by RT-qPCR histopathology. Bone marrow circulating immune cells (CD4 + , CD8 CD68 ) quantified endpoint flow cytometry. Results: One developed neurological symptoms euthanized day PI. Viral significantly increased kidney spleen (P<0.001) compared rats. In addition, WNV-infection elevated but not (P<0.0001). also showed monocytes (P<0.05), significant increase (P<0.05) renal following infection. Conclusions: We demonstrate, first time, positive interaction high severity hypertension. Further studies needed elucidate mechanisms new therapeutic targets