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Gamma interferon expression and major histocompatibility complex induction during measles and vesicular stomatitis
N Gogate1, M Bakhiet, K Kristensson
1Department of Cellular and Neuropathology, Huddinge Hospital, Sweden.
Abstract:
Lymphocytic interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) production and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen induction were studied in experimental measles and vesicular stomatitis virus infections in the brain. Fifteen-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats injected intracerebrally with the HNT strain of measles virus showed already within 1 day after infection an increased number of cells producing IFN-gamma in the spleen, cervical lymph nodes and leptomeninges. These rats recovered after a transient neuronal infection in the brain. Rats infected intracerebrally with vesicular stomatitis virus, on the other hand, all succumbed after 2 days and showed no IFN-gamma production in lymphoid cells. Immunohistochemically MHC class I antigen appeared in infected and uninfected cells in the brain during replication of both viruses. A role for the recently discovered nerve fibres with IFN-gamma-like immunoreactivity, which are normally present in the brain, in the MHC antigen induction is discussed.
Insights
Measles virus infection in rats induced interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) production and recovery, while vesicular stomatitis virus caused fatality without IFN-gamma. Brain MHC antigen induction occurred with both viral infections.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) plays a crucial role in immune responses.
- Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) antigens are vital for immune cell recognition.
- Viral infections can trigger complex immune reactions within the central nervous system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate IFN-gamma production and MHC antigen induction during experimental viral brain infections.
- To compare the immune responses to measles virus and vesicular stomatitis virus in the brain.
- To explore the potential role of neural IFN-gamma in MHC antigen expression.
Main Methods:
- Induction of experimental measles and vesicular stomatitis virus infections in 15-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats.
- Assessment of lymphocytic IFN-gamma production in spleen, lymph nodes, and leptomeninges.
- Immunohistochemical analysis of MHC class I antigen expression in the brain.
Main Results:
- Measles virus infection led to increased IFN-gamma production and transient neuronal infection, followed by recovery.
- Vesicular stomatitis virus infection resulted in high mortality and no detectable IFN-gamma in lymphoid cells.
- MHC class I antigen expression was observed in both infected and uninfected brain cells during both viral infections.
Conclusions:
- IFN-gamma production correlates with recovery from measles virus brain infection but not with fatal vesicular stomatitis virus infection.
- MHC antigen induction occurs in the brain during replication of both viruses, irrespective of IFN-gamma production.
- The study suggests a potential role for neural IFN-gamma-like fibers in mediating MHC antigen induction in the brain.