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Ocular infection with a murine neurovirulent retrovirus does not cause retinal degeneration
T V Baszler1, H E Whiteley, J F Zachary
1Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana.
Abstract:
The developing eyes of CFW/D mice inoculated at birth with a neurovirulent mutant (ts1) of Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMuLV), nonneurovirulent wild type (wt) MoMuLV, and conditioned virus-free medium were studied comparatively by immunohistochemistry, lectin histochemistry and light microscopy. Cellular targets for viral antigen expression in the eye were identical in both ts1 and wt MoMuLV-infected mice. Viral antigen first was observed in endothelial cells of the retina and subsequently spread in a spatial and temporal pattern consistent with normal vascularization of the developing retina. The virus also was observed in (1) epithelial cells of the bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva, ora ciliaris retinae, and lacrimal gland; (2) endothelial cells of the ciliary body, iris, choroid, and sclera; (3) amacrine cells of the retina; and (4) smooth muscle cells and endothelia of the periocular muscle. Although ts1 MoMuLV induced a spongiform encephalopathy in the brain and spinal cord, structural lesions were not observed in the retina or other ts1 MoMuLV-infected ocular structures; differentiation of the retina was normal. The lectin Ricinus communis agglutinin-I (RCA-I) labeled (1) endothelial cells of the hyaloid vessels, tunica vasculosa lentis, retina, ciliary body, iris, choroid, and sclera; (2) epithelial cells of the cornea, bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva, ora ciliaris retinae, and lacrimal gland; (3) smooth muscle cells and endothelia of the periocular muscle; (4) inner segments of the photoreceptor layer; and (5) amacrine cells of the retina.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Insights
Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMuLV) infects various ocular cells in developing mice, including retinal endothelial cells. Despite causing brain lesions, MoMuLV does not structurally damage the developing mouse eye.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Virology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMuLV) is a retrovirus known to cause disease in mice.
- Understanding viral tropism in developing organs is crucial for predicting pathogenesis.
- The ocular effects of MoMuLV infection, particularly in early development, require detailed investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comparatively analyze the ocular cellular targets of neurovirulent (ts1) and non-neurovirulent (wt) MoMuLV in developing CFW/D mice.
- To investigate the pattern of viral antigen expression within the developing eye.
- To assess the impact of MoMuLV infection on ocular structure and retinal differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry, lectin histochemistry, and light microscopy were employed.
- Developing eyes of mice inoculated at birth with ts1 MoMuLV, wt MoMuLV, or virus-free medium were examined.
- Specific lectin Ricinus communis agglutinin-I (RCA-I) was used to identify cellular structures.
Main Results:
- Viral antigen expression was observed in identical ocular cell types for both ts1 and wt MoMuLV, starting in retinal endothelial cells and spreading with vascularization.
- Infected cells included conjunctiva, lacrimal gland, ciliary body, iris, choroid, sclera, retinal amacrine cells, and periocular muscles.
- No structural lesions were found in the retina or other ocular tissues, and retinal differentiation remained normal despite ts1 MoMuLV causing encephalopathy.
Conclusions:
- MoMuLV exhibits a defined tropism for ocular vascular endothelial cells and other ocular tissues during development.
- The developing eye appears resistant to structural damage from MoMuLV infection, even when the central nervous system is affected.
- Ocular development proceeds normally despite viral presence, suggesting a lack of significant pathogenic impact on eye structures.