The polyphony of neuroinflammation to respiratory virus infections

Respiratory viruses, such influenza A virus or Severe Acute-Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus-2, can cause neurological complications. These viruses can enter the central nervous system via cranial nerves and infect brain cells. However, what happens in the infected and surrounding brain cells after exposure to respiratory viruses is not understood. This study aims to understand the interaction between respiratory viruses and brain cells by combining recent sequencing technologies on a single cell level with a novel state-of-the-art human stem cell-derived brain model system. This approach allows to reveal fundamental insights into how respiratory virus infections can lead to neuroinflammation.