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Sequential changes in Fe, Cu, and Zn in target organs during early Coxsackievirus B3 infection in mice
Nils-Gunnar Ilbäck1, Gad Benyamin, Ulf Lindh
1Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden.
Abstract:
In Coxsackievirus B3 (CB3) infection, the heart and pancreas are major target organs and, as a general host response, an associated immune activation and acute phase reaction develops. Although iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) are involved in these responses, sequential trace element changes in different target organs of infection have not been studied to date. In the present study, Fe, Cu, and Zn were measured through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in the plasma, liver, spleen, heart, and pancreas during the early phase (d 1 and 3) of CB3 infection in female Balb/c mice. The severity of the infection was assessed through clinical signs of disease and histopathology of the heart and pancreas, including staining of CD4 and CD8 cells in the pancreas. During infection, the concentrations of Fe, Cu, and Zn changed in the plasma, liver, and pancreas, but not in the spleen and heart. The changes in plasma Cu, Zn, and Fe seemed to be biphasic with a decrease at d 1 that turned into increased levels by d 3. Cu showed similar biphasic changes in the liver, spleen, and pancreas, whereas, for Zn and Fe, this pattern was only evident in the liver. In the pancreas, the reverse response occurred with pronounced decreases in Fe (23%, p < 0.05) and Zn (64%, p < 0.01) at d 3. Although the pathophysiological interpretation of these findings requires further research, the sequential determination of these elements may be of clinical value in enterovirus infections in deciding the stage of disease development.
Insights
This study tracked iron, copper, and zinc levels in mice during Coxsackievirus B3 infection. Trace element changes in organs like the pancreas may indicate disease stage.
Area of Science:
- * Virology and Immunology
- * Trace Element Metabolism
Background:
- * Coxsackievirus B3 (CB3) infects the heart and pancreas, triggering immune responses.
- * Iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) are implicated in host responses, but their dynamic changes in target organs during infection are unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate sequential changes in Fe, Cu, and Zn concentrations in plasma and key organs during the early phase of CB3 infection.
- * To correlate trace element fluctuations with disease severity and histopathological findings.
Main Methods:
- * Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to quantify Fe, Cu, and Zn.
- * Measurements were taken in plasma, liver, spleen, heart, and pancreas of female Balb/c mice at days 1 and 3 post-infection.
- * Clinical signs and histopathology (including CD4/CD8 staining in the pancreas) assessed infection severity.
Main Results:
- * Fe, Cu, and Zn levels altered in plasma, liver, and pancreas, but not spleen or heart.
- * Plasma Cu, Zn, and Fe showed a biphasic pattern: decreased at day 1, increased by day 3.
- * The pancreas exhibited significant decreases in Fe (23%) and Zn (64%) by day 3.
Conclusions:
- * Sequential trace element changes occur in specific organs during early CB3 infection.
- * The observed alterations in Fe, Cu, and Zn, particularly in the pancreas, may serve as biomarkers for disease progression.
- * Further research is needed to elucidate the precise pathophysiological roles of these trace elements in enterovirus infections.