Persistent Airway Hyperresponsiveness Following Recovery from Infection with Pneumonia Virus of Mice

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Pulmonology
• Virology

Background:

• Respiratory virus infections can cause lasting lung function impairment.
• Early childhood respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are linked to asthma, but mechanisms are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) development following recovery from pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) infection in a mouse model.
• To establish a versatile model for studying post-viral AHR and lung dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• BALB/c mice were infected with a sublethal dose of PVM.
• Airway hyperresponsiveness was assessed using invasive plethysmography and precision-cut lung slices at days 21 and 45 post-inoculation.
• Viral clearance and inflammatory responses were monitored.

Main Results:

• Mice experienced weight loss, viral replication, and acute airway inflammation.
• By day 21, viral detection and acute inflammation resolved, with all mice developing anti-PVM IgG antibodies.
• Significant and persistent AHR was observed at days 21 and 45 post-infection.

Conclusions:

• Sublethal PVM infection in mice results in long-term airway hyperresponsiveness.
• This model allows for the investigation of viral and inflammatory factors contributing to persistent post-viral lung dysfunction.