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Influenza A Virus Studies in a Mouse Model of Infection
Published on: September 7, 2017
STUDIES ON THE MECHANISM OF ADAPTATION OF INFLUENZA VIRUS TO MICE
1Laboratories of the International Health Division of The Rockefeller Foundation, New York.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Influenza A virus adapted to mouse lungs becomes lethal and changes antigenically. This adaptation process impacts influenza strain evolution and detection, offering insights into human influenza.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Influenza A virus is typically isolated in chick embryos.
- Adaptation studies are crucial for understanding viral evolution and pathogenicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the adaptation of influenza A virus in the mouse lung model.
- To analyze changes in pathogenicity and antigenic properties during mouse adaptation.
Main Methods:
- Inoculation of influenza A virus strains into mouse lungs.
- Serial passage in mice to observe adaptation.
- Agglutination tests with red blood cells.
- Antigenic characterization using agglutination inhibition tests.
Main Results:
- Influenza A virus readily multiplied in mouse lungs, achieving high initial titers.
- Repeated mouse passage led to increased lethality and pulmonary consolidation without enhanced viral replication.
- Adaptation altered the virus's ability to agglutinate red blood cells and its antigenic pattern.
- Influenza B virus did not exhibit similar adaptation in preliminary tests.
Conclusions:
- Mouse lung adaptation of influenza A virus induces significant pathogenic and antigenic changes.
- Divergent antigenic evolution was observed in adapted strains, complicating strain identification.
- Findings have implications for understanding influenza A virus strain diversity and diagnostics.
