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Evolution of different antiviral strategies in wild mouse populations exposed to different gammaretroviruses

Christine A Kozak1

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States.

Current Opinion in Virology
|September 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Wild mice possess distinct antiviral defenses against mouse leukemia viruses (MLVs). These genetic variations influence their susceptibility to MLV-induced leukemia, highlighting diverse survival risks across mouse populations.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Genetics
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Laboratory mice harbor gammaretroviruses linked to leukemia.
  • Polytropic mouse leukemia viruses (P-MLVs) are implicated in MLV-induced leukemias.
  • Endogenous P-MLV carriers in wild mice typically do not develop disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genetic factors contributing to differential MLV susceptibility in wild mouse populations.
  • To understand the role of retroviral receptors and restriction factors in controlling MLV infection and disease.
  • To characterize the survival risks posed by different MLV types in natural Mus musculus subspecies.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of retroviral receptor (XPR1) variants across Mus musculus subspecies.
  • Evaluation of APOBEC3 antiviral activity in different wild mouse populations.
  • Assessment of MLV entry factors and host restriction mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Wild mice with endogenous P-MLVs possess a permissive XPR1 receptor and attenuated APOBEC3.
  • Eurasian mice exhibit restrictive XPR1 variants and enhanced APOBEC3 antiviral activity against MLVs.
  • These host genetic differences create varied antiviral restriction landscapes in natural populations.

Conclusions:

  • Host antiviral restrictions significantly shape the impact of MLVs in natural mouse populations.
  • Divergent evolutionary pressures have led to distinct defense mechanisms against MLVs in different Mus musculus subspecies.
  • The survival risks associated with MLV infections are largely uncharacterized and vary by host subspecies and MLV type.

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