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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Published on: December 11, 2013
[Primary respiratory syncytial virus infection in mice]
Objective:
To establish a mice-model of primary respiratory syncytial virus infection.
Methods:
Twelve Balb/c mice (8-12 w) were divided into two groups with three different titers of RSV infection in the experimental group. Mice were anaesthetized with pentobabitone(30 mg/kg) and infected by nasal drip of 0.1 ml of RSV which was harvested from HEP-2 cell culture. Three mice in the control group received sham infection with HEP-2 cell media. Five days later, lungs were removed in aseptic condition. Right lung was weighted and homoginized with MEM(1:10 ratio), then centrifuged at 4 degrees C, 2,000 r/min for 20 minutes. Supernatants were collected for virus isolation and plaque forming assay. Left lung was collected for histopathological and electromicroscopic examination.
Results:
(1) RSV grew with a characteristic syncytial formation in HEP-2 cells, leading to the fusion of cells with round, elliptic, map or tree like shape. (2) Virus was isolated and detected in the lung tissue in experiment group. (3) There was a positive correlation between RSV titer added and that replicated in the lung. (4) After the eclipse phase, viral replication in the lung reached maximum within 4 and 6 days. The most apparent pathological change was found between day 5 and 8. Mononuclear cell infiltration was presented in the perivascular, peribronchial and in the alveoli spacers. (5) Huge viral replication with its fuzzy coat was detected inside the cytoplasm of the type II alveolar lining cell at high magnification.
Conclusion:
An animal model of RSV infection Balb/c mice was successfully established by nasal inoculation with respiratory syncytial virus.
Insights
A new mouse model for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection was successfully developed using nasal inoculation. This model allows for the study of RSV replication and associated lung pathology in Balb/c mice.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Animal Models
Context:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory illness in infants and the elderly.
- Existing animal models may not fully recapitulate human RSV infection.
- There is a need for a reliable and reproducible mouse model for RSV research.
Purpose:
- To establish a Balb/c mouse model for primary respiratory syncytial virus infection.
- To characterize viral replication and pathological changes in the lungs following RSV inoculation.
Summary:
- Balb/c mice were infected intranasally with varying titers of RSV.
- Viral replication, plaque formation, and histopathological changes in the lungs were assessed.
- RSV was successfully isolated from lung tissue, with replication correlating to the initial viral dose and peaking between 4-6 days post-infection.
Impact:
- Successfully established a mouse model for RSV infection via nasal inoculation.
- The model demonstrates characteristic syncytial formation and viral replication in lung tissues.
- This model can be utilized for further studies on RSV pathogenesis and therapeutic interventions.
