Japanese encephalitis virus infection causes reactive oxygen species-mediated skeletal muscle damage.

Skeletal muscle wasting is a clinically proven pathology associated with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection; however, underlying factors that govern skeletal muscle damage are yet to be explored. The current study aims to investigate the pathobiology of skeletal muscle damage using a mouse model of JEV infection. Our study reveals a significant increment in viral copy number in skeletal muscle post-JEV infection, which is associated with enhanced skeletal muscle cell death. Molecular and biochemical analysis confirms NOX2-dependent generation of reactive oxygen species, leading to autophagy flux inhibition and cell apoptosis. Along with this, an alteration in mitochondrial dynamics (change in fusion and fission process) and a decrease in the total number of mitochondria copies were found during JEV disease progression. The study represents the initial evidence of skeletal muscle damage caused by JEV and provides insights into potential avenues for therapeutic advancement.