IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-Defining viral-host mechanisms of neuroinflammation after human metapneumovirus infection

Defining viral-host mechanisms of neuroinflammation after human metapneumovirus infection

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The speaker discussed research on human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus related to RSV and a major cause of lower respiratory infection in infants, young children, and the elderly. Because HMPV lacks approved vaccines or antivirals and is understudied, the lab examined whether it can infect the central nervous system and cause neuroinflammation. Using human stem cell-derived neurons, microglia, and brain organoids, they found that both HMPV and RSV directly infect these cells and trigger strong inflammatory and antiviral responses. In mouse models, virus was detected in the brain after intranasal infection, and brain levels of IL-6 increased, suggesting neuroinflammation. The team also screened hundreds of drugs and identified several compounds, including remdesivir, that reduce HMPV infection. Overall, the work suggests HMPV may be a neurotrophic respiratory virus with potential long-term neurological consequences.

Meta Tag

Date April 17, 2026 9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

Room 104AB

Session Cytokines and Inflammation in Antiviral Immunity

Speaker Todd Bradley

Track Viral Immunology (VIR)

Year 2026

Keywords

human metapneumovirus

neuroinflammation

respiratory virus

brain infection

remdesivir

April 17, 2026 9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

104AB

Cytokines and Inflammation in Antiviral Immunity

Todd Bradley

Viral Immunology (VIR)

2026