Encephalitic alphaviruses exploit caveolae-mediated transcytosis at the blood-brain barrier for CNS entry

Venezuelan and Western equine encephalitis viruses (VEEV and WEEV) invade the CNS early during infection, via neuronal and hematogenous routes (1, 2). While viral replication mediates host-shut off, including expression of type I interferons (IFN) (3, 4), few studies have addressed how alphaviruses gain access to the CNS during established infection or the mechanisms of viral crossing at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Here, we show that hematogenous dissemination of VEEV and WEEV into the CNS occurs via caveolin (Cav)-1-mediated transcytosis (Cav-MT) across an intact BBB, which is impeded by IFN and inhibitors of RhoA GTPase. Use of reporter and non-replicative strains also demonstrates that IFN signaling mediates viral restriction within cells comprising the neurovascular unit (NVU), differentially rendering brain endothelial cells, pericytes and astrocytes permissive to viral replication. Transmission and immunoelectron microscopy revealed early events in virus internalization and Cav-1-association within brain endothelial cells. Cav-1-deficient mice exhibit diminished CNS VEEV and WEEV titers during early infection, whereas viral burdens in peripheral tissues remained unchanged. Our findings show that alphaviruses exploit Cav-MT to enter the CNS, and that IFN differentially restricts this process at the BBB.