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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Influenza A Virus Studies in a Mouse Model of Infection
Published on: September 7, 2017
Sendai virus-induced alterations in lung structure/function correlate with viral loads and reveal a wide
Pedro Faisca1, Dao Bui Tran Anh, Daniel J-M Desmecht
1Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Abstract:
The Paramyxoviridae family includes some of the most important and ubiquitous disease-causing viruses of infants and children, most of which cause significant infections of the respiratory tract. Evidence is accumulating in humans that genetic factors are involved in the severity of clinical presentation. As a first step toward the identification of the genes involved, this study was undertaken to establish whether laboratory mouse strains differ in susceptibility to Sendai virus, the murine counterpart of human type-1 parainfluenza virus which, historically, has been used extensively in studies that have defined the basic biological properties of paramyxoviruses in general. With this purpose in mind, double-chamber plethysmography data were collected daily for 7 days after inoculation of Sendai virus in six inbred strains of mice. In parallel, histological examinations and lung viral titration were carried out from day 5 to day 7 after inoculation. Pulmonary structure/function values closely reflected the success of viral replication in the lungs and revealed a pattern of continuous variation with resistant, intermediate, and susceptible strains. The results unambiguously suggest that BALB/c (resistant) and 129Sv (susceptible) strains should be used in crossing experiments aimed at identifying the genes involved in resistance to Paramyxoviridae by the positional cloning approach.
Insights
Different mouse strains exhibit varying susceptibility to Sendai virus, a paramyxovirus. BALB/c mice are resistant, while 129Sv mice are susceptible, offering a genetic model for studying respiratory infections.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Paramyxoviridae viruses cause significant respiratory infections in children.
- Genetic factors influence the severity of human parainfluenza virus infections.
- Sendai virus is a murine model for human parainfluenza virus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if different laboratory mouse strains vary in their susceptibility to Sendai virus infection.
- To establish a genetic model for studying Paramyxoviridae resistance.
Main Methods:
- Six inbred mouse strains were inoculated with Sendai virus.
- Pulmonary function was assessed daily using double-chamber plethysmography for 7 days.
- Histological examination and viral titration were performed on lung tissues.
Main Results:
- Mouse strains showed varied susceptibility to Sendai virus, with continuous variation observed.
- Pulmonary structure and function correlated with viral replication levels.
- BALB/c mice demonstrated resistance, while 129Sv mice were susceptible.
Conclusions:
- Mouse strain selection is crucial for studying paramyxovirus resistance.
- BALB/c and 129Sv strains are valuable for positional cloning to identify resistance genes.
- This research provides a foundation for understanding the genetic basis of paramyxovirus-induced respiratory disease.
