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Updated: May 14, 2026
Influenza A Virus Studies in a Mouse Model of Infection
Published on: September 7, 2017
[Identification of mouse acute pneumonia model induced by influenza virus using gene clone and sequence analysis]
Bin Xie1, Xue-Feng Wang, Zhi-Jun Yue
1Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, China.
Objective:
To identify mouse acute pneumonia model induced by influenza virus adapted strains (FM1 strain) using RT-PCR, gene clone and sequence analysis and pathological examination of lung tissues.
Methods:
Acute pneumonia was induced by intranasal drip of FM1 strain. The lungs were collected after 3, 5 and 7 days. RT-PCR was used to detect the viral load. Amplified PCR products were cloned and sequenced. Pathological and histological changes to the lungs were observed.
Results:
There were no abnormalities in the alveoli, alveolar sacs and alveolar septa and no inflammatory cell infiltration was found in normal mice. In the model group, we found disappearance of alveoli, alveolar sacs, alveolar ducts and alveolar septa, thickening of the alveolar septal and bronchiolar walls, and infiltration of inflammatory cells after 3, 5 and 7 days of influenza virus (IV) infection. Compared with the normal group, pathological changes at various time points were significantly increased (P<0.01). Viral nucleic acid can be detected in the lung tissue of the model group at various time points, and the pathological changes of the lung tissue were positively correlated with viral load. Sequence analysis demonstrated that there was 99.1% consistency between RT-PCR products of lung tissues in the model group and the known IV cDNA sequence (P<0.01).
Conclusions:
Gene clone and sequence analysis may be used to identify acute mouse pneumonia model induced by FM1 strain.
Insights
This study demonstrates that gene sequencing and RT-PCR can effectively identify an acute mouse pneumonia model induced by the influenza virus (IV) FM1 strain. These methods confirm viral presence and correlate with observed lung tissue pathology.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pathology
- Molecular Biology
Context:
- Influenza virus (IV) infections can cause acute pneumonia.
- Developing reliable animal models is crucial for studying viral pneumonia.
- Characterizing the FM1 strain's pathogenic effects in mice is important.
Purpose:
- To establish and validate a mouse model of acute pneumonia induced by the FM1 strain of influenza virus.
- To utilize RT-PCR, gene cloning, and sequence analysis for identification.
- To perform pathological examinations of lung tissues to assess disease severity.
Summary:
- Acute pneumonia was induced in mice via intranasal administration of the FM1 strain.
- Lung tissues were collected at 3, 5, and 7 days post-infection for analysis.
- RT-PCR detected viral load, while gene sequencing confirmed viral identity (99.1% consistency with IV cDNA).
- Pathological examination revealed significant lung tissue damage, including alveolar destruction and inflammatory cell infiltration, correlating positively with viral load.
Impact:
- This study validates a robust mouse model for influenza-induced acute pneumonia.
- The findings support the use of molecular techniques (RT-PCR, sequencing) for rapid identification and characterization of viral pneumonia models.
- This model can facilitate further research into influenza pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies.
