Fig. 8

USUV efficiently replicates in a human model of the blood-brain barrier without inducing alteration of endothelium integrity. a Human in vitro BBB model composed by CD34⁺ blood cord-derived endothelial cells cultured on transwell filters and placed on top of pericytes. b hBLECs were infected with USUV EU2 and AF3 at MOI 0.1. Viral titers from both compartments are indicated at 4, 7, and 10 dpi (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01). c Permeability (Pe) of the Lucifer Yellow (LY) paracellular marker and transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) was measured at 10 dpi. Each point represents the mean ± SEM of 3 independent experiments. NS = not significant. d Immunofluorescence of actin and Zonula occludens (Zo)-1 staining showing no perturbation of endothelium structure (10 dpi). Scale bar = 50 μm