Hepatitis E viruses (HEV) typically cause liver infections. They can, however, also infect other organs and cause neurological disorders. Little is yet known about how this process works. A research team has now developed a cell model to study the interaction of the virus with nerve cells. Using this model, the researchers proved that the virus can infect the cells directly and that the cells can't protect themselves against it through an immune response.

Using a new cell model, researchers can for the first time study how hepatitis E viruses affect nerve cells.