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Protective effect of measles virus inoculation on subacute sclerosing panencephalitis virus-infected mice
Abstract:
The Biken strain of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) virus caused a fatal neurologic disease in adult mice after intracerebral inoculation. However, the mice were completely protected from the disease when a high dose of measles virus was given intracerebrally after the SSPE virus infection. The measles virus inoculation induced interferon production and immune responses. An experiment with athymic nude mice showed that interferon and anti-measles antibody were able to prolong the incubation period of the disease but not to protect the SSPE virus-infected nude mice from death. For complete protection, T lymphocytes appeared to be essential. The present study suggested that the protective effect of measles virus inoculation is basically due to the induction of immune responses and that SSPE virus infection in mice is susceptible to immune reactions.
Insights
Measles virus inoculation protected mice from a fatal subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) virus infection. Complete protection required T lymphocytes, indicating immune responses are key to combating SSPE virus.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a fatal neurological disease.
- The Biken strain of SSPE virus causes fatal disease in adult mice after intracerebral inoculation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effect of measles virus inoculation against SSPE virus infection in mice.
- To elucidate the role of immune responses, including interferon, antibodies, and T lymphocytes, in protection.
Main Methods:
- Adult mice were intracerebrally inoculated with SSPE virus.
- Some mice received a high dose of measles virus intracerebrally after SSPE virus infection.
- Experiments were conducted with athymic nude mice to assess the roles of interferon, anti-measles antibody, and T lymphocytes.
Main Results:
- Measles virus inoculation completely protected mice from SSPE virus-induced fatal neurologic disease.
- Measles virus induced interferon production and immune responses.
- Interferon and anti-measles antibody alone prolonged the incubation period but did not prevent death in SSPE virus-infected nude mice.
- T lymphocytes were essential for complete protection.
Conclusions:
- The protective effect of measles virus inoculation against SSPE virus is primarily mediated by the induction of immune responses.
- SSPE virus infection in mice is susceptible to immune reactions, particularly those involving T lymphocytes.