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The pathogenesis of murine cytomegalovirus ocular infection. Anterior chamber inoculation
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City.
Abstract:
To investigate the pathogenesis of ocular cytomegalovirus infections, 3-week-old BALB/c mice were inoculated with 10(4) plaque-forming units of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) by the right anterior chamber and studied sequentially with the use of virus assays and in situ nucleic acid hybridization methods. During acute infection, MCMV was recovered from the right vitreous, lens, cornea, retina/choroid, and optic nerve. Titers of MCMV exceeded 10(3) per ml of homogenate on days 4 and 7 after inoculation. With the use of biotinylated MCMV DNA probes, MCMV nucleic acids were detected in and adjacent to cells of the iris and ciliary body and occasionally within inflammatory lesions of the cornea. During chronic infection, MCMV was recovered, with the use of co-cultivation or explant methods, from ocular tissues of occasional mice inoculated with MCMV 1 yr earlier. Infectious MCMV was also recovered from the ocular homogenates of a group of mice immunosuppressed with antilymphocyte serum and cortisone. These studies indicate that cells of the uveal tract are permissive for MCMV and suggest that intrinsic persistence or latency of cytomegalovirus in ocular tissues could contribute to the pathogenesis of ocular infections in immunosuppressed hosts.
Insights
Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infects various ocular tissues during acute and chronic phases. MCMV persistence in the eye may contribute to ocular infections in immunosuppressed individuals.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Ocular cytomegalovirus infections pose a significant threat, particularly to immunocompromised individuals.
- Understanding the pathogenesis of these infections is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pathogenesis of ocular cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in a mouse model.
- To determine the distribution and persistence of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) within ocular tissues.
Main Methods:
- BALB/c mice were inoculated with MCMV in the anterior chamber.
- Sequential studies involved virus assays and in situ nucleic acid hybridization.
- Chronic infection and immunosuppression models were utilized.
Main Results:
- MCMV was recovered from multiple ocular tissues during acute infection, including the vitreous, lens, cornea, retina/choroid, and optic nerve.
- MCMV nucleic acids were detected in the iris and ciliary body cells.
- Infectious MCMV was recovered from ocular tissues during chronic infection and in immunosuppressed mice.
Conclusions:
- The uveal tract is permissive for MCMV replication.
- Intrinsic persistence or latency of CMV in ocular tissues may contribute to ocular infections in immunosuppressed hosts.