Liberles lab reveals how the brain senses flu infection

An image of petrosal GABRA1 neurons innervating prostaglandin producing cells in nasopharynx (Left). A diagram of daily food intake by mice with loss of petrosal GABRA1 neurons or intact (control) upon influenza infection. Eliminating the petrosal GABRA1 neurons reduced flu-induced sickness (Right).

Most people get sick several times a year. Sickness is a behavioral state orchestrated by the brain and is characterized by fever, loss of appetite, lethargy and, sometimes, a cough and nausea. Surprisingly, it is not understood how the brain becomes aware that a pathogen — for example, an infectious bacterium or virus — is present in the body. Bin et al discover a population of glossopharyngeal sensory neurons that is activated through prostaglandin signaling, and is required for influenza-induced sickness behavior in mice. This small group of airway neurons provides a direct communication route between nasopharynx and brain, and orchestrates systemic responses during a respiratory virus infection.

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