The innate antivirus response of human astrocytes after tick-borne orbivirus infection

Orbiviruses (genus: Orbivirus, family: Sedoreoviridae) are a diverse group of dsRNA viruses with segmented genome maintained in nature through biological transmission between vertebrate hosts and blood-sucking arthropods. Tick-borne orbiviruses represent a biologically heterogeneous group within which zoonotic potential has been reported in some representatives of the Great Island virus (GIV) serogroup. Zoonotic serotypes of GIV found in Central Europe are Tribeč (TRBV), Lipovník (LIPV), and Kemerovo (KEMV) viruses. Despite evidence of their neurotropism, these viruses may be considered as neglected. They have been largely overlooked in scientific research and have not been incorporated into national screening studies for pathogens nor included in the differential diagnosis of central nervous system infections. Neglected pathogens, while causing fewer clinical infections, are still significant, especially for affected patients suffering of neuroinfection. Consequently, this project aims to study the innate antiviral response of primary human astrocytes after TRBV and KEMV infection.