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Influenza A Virus Studies in a Mouse Model of Infection
Published on: September 7, 2017
Effect of antilymphocyte serum on reovirus infection of mice
1Department of Microbiology, Tohoku University School of Dentistry, Sendai 980, Japan.
Abstract:
Reovirus type 3 infection in mice was investigated, with particular reference to the effect of antilymphocyte serum. With virus inoculation, a characteristic acute disease was manifested in the mice younger than 5 days old but not in mice 7 days old or older. However, a single injection of antilymphocyte serum, which was prepared in rabbits immunized with mouse thymocytes, followed by virus inoculation induced the acute disease in mice 7 days old or older. The latter result suggests that this production of the acute disease may be due to a suppression of the cellular immune mechanism sensitive to antilymphocyte serum.
Insights
Antilymphocyte serum (ALS) can induce acute reovirus type 3 disease in older mice. This suggests ALS may suppress cellular immunity, making mice susceptible to viral infections.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Reovirus type 3 infection causes acute disease in young mice.
- Older mice (≥7 days) are typically resistant to this acute disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of antilymphocyte serum (ALS) on reovirus type 3 infection in mice.
- To explore the role of cellular immunity in reovirus-induced disease.
Main Methods:
- Mice of different ages were inoculated with reovirus type 3.
- Some mice received antilymphocyte serum (prepared from rabbit anti-mouse thymocytes) before virus inoculation.
- Disease manifestation was observed and compared between groups.
Main Results:
- Younger mice (<5 days) developed acute disease upon reovirus inoculation.
- Older mice (≥7 days) did not develop acute disease when inoculated with reovirus alone.
- A single injection of ALS followed by reovirus inoculation induced acute disease in older mice (≥7 days).
Conclusions:
- Antilymphocyte serum can render older mice susceptible to acute reovirus type 3 disease.
- This susceptibility is likely due to the suppression of a cellular immune mechanism targeted by ALS.
- Cellular immunity plays a critical role in controlling reovirus infections in mice.
