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Experimental cytomegalovirus infection and the developing mouse inner ear: in vivo and in vitro studies
Abstract:
Mouse cytomegalovirus causes perilabyrinthitis in the cochlea following intracranial inoculation of the newborn mouse. In spite of infection of cranial nerve ganglion cells and Schwann cells the organ of Corti achieves normal adult morphology including efferent nerve endings. No involvement of neuroaxons is seen. In comparison human cytomegalovirus infection causes endolabyrinthitis without involving periotic connective tissues or nerves even in the presence of meningoencephalitis. The lack of epithelial infection and susceptibility of periotic connective tissues to mouse cytomegalovirus was confirmed by infection of fetal mouse otocysts in organ culture. The mouse model of cytomegalovirus ear infection shows greater similarities to other herpesvirus infections of the ear such as varicella-zoster than to human cytomegalovirus and thus remains extremely useful for the study of herpetic neuronal and ear infection.
Insights
Mouse cytomegalovirus (CMV) causes ear infections in mice, affecting cochlear nerves but sparing the organ of Corti. This mouse model is valuable for studying herpetic ear infections.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Neuroscience
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection in newborn mice leads to perilabyrinthitis.
- Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) causes endolabyrinthitis, distinct from MCMV's effects.
- Herpesvirus infections of the ear share similarities with the MCMV mouse model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pathological effects of MCMV in the cochlea of newborn mice.
- To compare MCMV-induced ear pathology with HCMV infection and other herpesvirus ear infections.
- To evaluate the utility of the MCMV mouse model for studying herpetic neuronal and ear infections.
Main Methods:
- Intracranial inoculation of newborn mice with MCMV.
- Infection of fetal mouse otocysts in organ culture.
- Histopathological examination of cochlear structures and cranial nerve ganglia.
Main Results:
- MCMV caused perilabyrinthitis, infecting cranial nerve ganglion and Schwann cells.
- The organ of Corti maintained normal adult morphology, including efferent nerve endings, with no neuroaxon involvement.
- Fetal mouse otocyst cultures confirmed lack of epithelial infection and susceptibility of periotic connective tissues to MCMV.
- MCMV ear infection pathology showed more resemblance to varicella-zoster virus than to HCMV.
Conclusions:
- The MCMV mouse model provides a valuable platform for studying herpetic infections of the ear and neuronal pathways.
- MCMV ear infections differ significantly from HCMV, highlighting species-specific viral tropism.
- The model's utility extends to understanding the pathogenesis of herpesviruses affecting the auditory system.