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Updated: Aug 23, 2026
Use of In vivo Imaging to Monitor the Progression of Experimental Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection in Neonates
Published on: July 6, 2013
Host cell specificity of minute virus of mice in the developing mouse embryo
Refael Itah1, Jacov Tal, Claytus Davis
1Department of Developmental Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
Abstract:
Productive infection by the murine autonomous parvovirus minute virus of mice (MVM) depends on a dividing cell population and its differentiation state. We have extended the in vivo analysis of the MVM host cell type range into the developing embryo by in utero inoculation followed by further gestation. The fibrotropic p strain (MVMp) and the lymphotropic i strain (MVMi) did not productively infect the early mouse embryo but were able to infect overlapping sets of cell types in the mid- or late-gestation embryo. Both MVMp and MVMi infected developing bone primordia, notochord, central nervous system, and dorsal root ganglia. MVMp exhibited extensive infection in fibroblasts, in the epithelia of lung and developing nose, and, to a lesser extent, in the gut. MVMi also infected endothelium. The data indicated that the host ranges of the two MVM strains consist of overlapping sets of cell types that are broader than previously known from neonate and in vitro infection experiments. The correlation between MVM host cell types and the cell types that activate the transgenic P4 promoter is consistent with the hypothesis that activation of the incoming viral P4 promoter by the host cell is one of the host range determinants of MVM.
Insights
Minute virus of mice (MVM) infects developing mouse embryos, with strains MVMp and MVMi targeting specific cell types in mid- to late-gestation. This expands the known host range for MVM infection in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Developmental Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Murine parvovirus minute virus of mice (MVM) infection relies on host cell division and differentiation.
- Previous studies analyzed MVM host range in neonates and in vitro.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the host cell type range of MVM strains within the developing mouse embryo.
- To determine if MVM can productively infect embryonic cells in vivo.
Main Methods:
- In utero inoculation of MVMp and MVMi strains into pregnant mice.
- Analysis of viral infection in embryos at mid- and late-gestation stages.
- Histological examination to identify infected cell types.
Main Results:
- Early mouse embryos were not productively infected by MVMp or MVMi.
- Both strains infected overlapping cell types in mid- to late-gestation embryos, including CNS, notochord, and bone primordia.
- MVMp extensively infected fibroblasts and lung epithelium, while MVMi also infected endothelium.
Conclusions:
- The host range of MVM strains is broader in developing embryos than previously established.
- Viral P4 promoter activation by host cells may be a key determinant of MVM host range.
- Infection patterns suggest strain-specific tropisms within the embryonic environment.
