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Murine cytomegalovirus infection of cultured mouse embryos
Abstract:
Isolated mouse whole embryos of 7.5 days' gestation were infected with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and cultured in pure rat serum. Although the MCMV infection had little effect on the survival and development of the embryos during 3 days of cultivation, immunohistochemical analysis of their serial sections using monoclonal antibody showed MCMV-infected cells in various portions of the embryos. This monoclonal antibody, when tested with the use of infected cultured mouse fibroblasts, reacted with nuclear antigen within 2 hours after infection and also reacted with nuclear inclusions in the late phase of infection. The viral antigen-positive cells detected by the monoclonal antibody were present in almost all of the ectoplacental cone and the yolk sac and in about 82% of the embryos. In the embryos, antigen-positive cells were frequently observed in the epithelium of the digestive tracts, endothelial cells of the blood vessels, and the mesodermal cells. In some of the embryos, viral antigen-positive cells were clearly observed in a small percentage of the blood cells. These findings indicate that blood cells, in addition to cell migration during embryogenesis, may play an important role in transmission of infectious virus into the embryos. Mouse whole embryo culture infected with MCMV can provide a model for the study of cellular tropism related to congenital infection by cytomegalovirus.
Insights
Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infects developing mouse embryos, with infected cells found throughout embryonic tissues and blood cells. This suggests blood cells may transmit MCMV during congenital infections.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Congenital cytomegalovirus infections pose significant risks to fetal development.
- Understanding the cellular tropism of cytomegalovirus during embryogenesis is crucial for preventing congenital transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular tropism and transmission routes of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) in developing mouse embryos using a whole embryo culture model.
- To determine the role of blood cells in the dissemination of MCMV within the embryo.
Main Methods:
- Mouse whole embryos (7.5 days' gestation) were infected with MCMV and cultured.
- Immunohistochemical analysis using a monoclonal antibody against MCMV was performed on serial embryo sections.
- Viral antigen detection in various embryonic tissues and cell types, including blood cells.
Main Results:
- MCMV infection did not significantly affect embryo survival or development during 3 days of culture.
- Viral antigen-positive cells were detected in the ectoplacental cone, yolk sac, digestive tract epithelium, vascular endothelium, mesodermal cells, and a subset of blood cells.
- The monoclonal antibody effectively detected MCMV nuclear antigen in infected cells.
Conclusions:
- Blood cells may play a significant role in transmitting infectious MCMV into developing embryos, alongside cell migration.
- The mouse whole embryo culture model is suitable for studying the cellular tropism of MCMV in congenital infections.