Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Measurement of γHV68 Infection in Mice
Published on: November 22, 2011
Interleukin-4 induces mouse cytomegalovirus interstitial pneumonia in a latent infection model
1Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume 830-0011, Japan. junko@med.kurume-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
To better understand immune mechanisms involved in onset of cytomegalovirus pneumonia, we initially examined the replication of a low virulence strain of mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) in nude and BALB/c mice infected by intranasal inoculation. MCMV was detected by plaque assay in the salivary glands of nude mice from days 3 to 16, and in those of BALB/c mice from days 7 to 11. Nude mice became infected with MCMV earlier than BALB/c mice. Moreover, MCMV-DNA was detected in the salivary glands until day 16 after MCMV inoculation in nude and BALB/c mice. However, we did not find evidence of interstitial pneumonia at day 16 in either BALB/c or nude mice. These results suggest that this system represents a latent infection model in BALB/c mice and a persistent infection model in nude mice. We treated latently infected BALB/c mice with methylprednisolone or IL-4 every other day. The mice treated with IL-4 developed interstitial pneumonia, whereas those treated with m-PSL did not. In the present study, we constructed a model of MCMV latent infection that could be used to induce development of interstitial pneumonia. IL-4 appears to be a key cytokine for onset of interstitial pneumonia in mice with latent MCMV infection.
Insights
Interleukin-4 (IL-4) can trigger cytomegalovirus pneumonia in mice with latent mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection. This study establishes a model for MCMV-induced interstitial pneumonia, highlighting IL-4
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Pathology
Background:
- Understanding immune mechanisms in cytomegalovirus pneumonia is crucial.
- Mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) is a model pathogen for studying viral infections.
- Latent and persistent viral infections can have significant health implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate immune responses during mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection.
- To establish a murine model for MCMV-induced interstitial pneumonia.
- To identify key cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of MCMV pneumonia.
Main Methods:
- Intranasal inoculation of a low-virulence MCMV strain in nude and BALB/c mice.
- Detection of MCMV replication in salivary glands using plaque assays and MCMV-DNA.
- Treatment of latently infected BALB/c mice with methylprednisolone (m-PSL) or Interleukin-4 (IL-4) to induce pneumonia.
Main Results:
- MCMV replicated in salivary glands of both mouse strains, with earlier detection in nude mice.
- Latent MCMV infection was established in BALB/c mice, and persistent infection in nude mice.
- IL-4 treatment induced interstitial pneumonia in latently infected BALB/c mice, while m-PSL did not.
Conclusions:
- A murine model for MCMV latent infection and subsequent interstitial pneumonia was successfully developed.
- Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is identified as a critical cytokine in the onset of interstitial pneumonia during latent MCMV infection.
- These findings provide insights into the immune-mediated pathogenesis of cytomegalovirus pneumonia.
