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Morphological and functional changes during cytomegalovirus replication in murine macrophages
I van Bruggen1, P Price, T A Robertson
1Department of Pathology, University of Western Australia, Nedlands.
Journal of Leukocyte Biology
|December 1, 1989
Summary
Murine cytomegalovirus infection alters macrophages, causing cell enlargement and loss of surface markers. This impairs their immune functions, including reduced phagocytosis and interleukin-1 production.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Murine peritoneal macrophages play a crucial role in immune responses.
- Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) is a significant pathogen affecting macrophages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural and functional consequences of MCMV infection in murine peritoneal macrophages.
- To understand the impact of high-level MCMV infection on macrophage characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Centrifugal enhancement for high-level ( >90%) pulsed MCMV infection of macrophages.
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for ultrastructural analysis.
- Flow cytometry and functional assays to assess surface markers, phagocytosis, and cytokine production.
Main Results:
- Infected macrophages enlarged, rounded, and developed intracytoplasmic vacuoles containing virions.
- Significant downregulation of surface markers (F4/80, Mac-1, FcR) and upregulation of H-2 expression.
- Depressed phagocytosis of colloidal gold and horseradish peroxidase.
- Decreased acid phosphatase activity, lymphocytostatic activity, and interleukin-1 (IL-1) production.
Conclusions:
- MCMV infection induces profound structural and functional alterations in macrophages.
- The observed decrease in IL-1 production may underlie the loss of macrophage accessory cell function.
- These changes highlight MCMV's capacity to subvert macrophage immune functions.