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Updated: Oct 19, 2026
Accessing Early Differentiation of Virus-Specific Follicular Helper CD4+ T Cell in Acute LCMV-Infected Mice
Published on: April 26, 2024
Persistence of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus at very low levels in immune mice
A Ciurea1, P Klenerman, L Hunziker
1Institute for Experimental Immunology, Department of Pathology, University Hospital, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland. aciurea@pathol.unizh.ch
Abstract:
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), strain WE, is a non-cytopathic RNA virus that is highly adapted to its natural host, the mouse. Acute infection of adult mice leads to generalized virus spread, followed by cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated virus clearance below the detection levels of conventional assays within 2-3 weeks. Indirect evidence had suggested that virus or viral antigen might persist in the immune mouse. Here we demonstrate LCMV-WE persistence at low levels after infection with 10(2) or 10(6) plaque-forming units, shown as viral genome, viral antigen, and replicative virus using sensitive in vitro and in vivo assays. The finding that LCMV-WE persists in the face of apparently intact immune responses resembles the situation in some viral (hepatitis B and C, HIV) and bacterial (tuberculosis, leprosy) infections in humans; the results are relevant to the understanding not only of other murine and human persistent viral infections but also of protective immunological memory by "infection immunity."
Insights
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) can persist at low levels in immune mice, even after apparent clearance. This finding sheds light on persistent viral infections and immunological memory.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) strain WE is a non-cytopathic RNA virus adapted to mice.
- Acute LCMV infection in adult mice typically results in viral clearance within 2-3 weeks via cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses.
- Previous studies suggested potential viral persistence despite apparent immune clearance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the persistence of LCMV-WE in adult mice following infection.
- To characterize the nature of LCMV-WE persistence using sensitive detection methods.
- To understand the implications of persistent LCMV-WE for immune responses and viral infections.
Main Methods:
- Infection of adult mice with varying doses (10^2 or 10^6 PFU) of LCMV-WE.
- Utilized sensitive in vitro and in vivo assays to detect viral genome, antigen, and replicative virus.
- Assessed viral persistence in the context of established immune responses.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated low-level persistence of LCMV-WE in adult mice after infection.
- Detected viral genome, antigen, and replicative virus in persistently infected mice.
- LCMV-WE persistence was observed despite an apparently intact immune response.
Conclusions:
- LCMV-WE can persist in mice even when immune responses appear to have cleared the virus.
- This persistence model offers insights into human persistent infections like Hepatitis B/C, HIV, tuberculosis, and leprosy.
- Findings contribute to understanding persistent viral infections and the mechanisms of "infection immunity".
