Some Brain Cells Are Better Virus Fighters

Summary:

          Viruses usually spread throughout the brain infecting only some of the brain cells. This is because our natural immune system, which defends against these diseases, are turned on in some cells but turned off in others. Scientists at the University School of Medicine in St. Louis conducted an experiment to see why this occurred  Many genes in the cortical neurons were not expressed as well as others in other parts of the brain, giving them lesser antibiotic properties than the rest of the brain. Regulatory factors known as microRNA, and differences in the way DNA is modified in the cell nucleus affect these gene's expression levels. In the end, the scientists could not conclude whether the differences in susceptibility were because of the need to prevent infection or if they were because of changes that help neurons perform essential functions, but they did advance our knowledge about our bodies' immune systems.

Connection:

          This article is relevant because, in our previous unit, we learned about microbes. Viruses have evolved to be able to live and reproduce in humans, but humans have also evolved to have ways to fight viruses and other microbes. This article also relates to the unit before that, the evolution of life. We learned about how organisms evolve to be better suited for their environments, but if they have unused structures, then they will use up energy that doesn't needed to be used for survival. The organism that doesn't have that structure will be better suited for their environment. In this article, the brain's uneven virus resistance can be explained by this because, although we need as much protection as possible from viruses, too much could use up energy that we might need for other things.

Article Title: Some Brain Cells Are Better Virus Fighters

Published: Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130307091559.htm