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Updated: May 20, 2025
Influenza A Virus Studies in a Mouse Model of Infection
Published on: September 7, 2017
Differential replication, pathology, and immune response of clade IIb mpox virus in C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice
Meimei Duan1,2, Xiangmei Zhang3, Xian Tang1,2
1Institute for Hepatology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
We have previously established a clade IIb mpox virus (MPXV) pathogenic BALB/c mouse model for developing mpox countermeasures. Here, we comprehensively investigated the susceptibility of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice to MPXV and found that Clade IIb MPXV was capable of rapid replication in the lungs of both mouse strains, thus triggering similar dynamic pathological changes and antibody responses. However, C57BL/6 mice, compared to BALB/c mice, seem less susceptible to MPXV, evidenced by no significant weight loss, lower viral load, faster viral clearance, and earlier pathological improvement, as well as weaker antibody response. Interestingly, C57BL/6 stat1-/- mice intranasally infected with MPXV displayed a significant body weight loss, indicating the crucial role of innate immunity in the susceptibility to MPXV. The C57BL/6 model mimics clinical characteristics of asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients with mild mpox, which will be beneficial for exploring MPXV infection, transmission, pathogenesis, and immune responses.
Insights
Mice infected with mpox virus (MPXV) showed varying susceptibility. C57BL/6 mice exhibited milder MPXV symptoms, highlighting innate immunity
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- A pathogenic mouse model for mpox virus (MPXV) clade IIb is crucial for developing countermeasures.
- Previous work established a BALB/c mouse model for MPXV research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively investigate the susceptibility of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice to MPXV.
- To compare the pathological changes, viral replication, and immune responses in different mouse strains.
- To evaluate the role of innate immunity in MPXV susceptibility using C57BL/6 stat1-/- mice.
Main Methods:
- Intranasal infection of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice with clade IIb MPXV.
- Monitoring of body weight, viral load, and pathological changes in the lungs.
- Assessment of antibody responses and viral clearance.
- Infection of C57BL/6 stat1-/- mice to investigate innate immunity.
Main Results:
- Clade IIb MPXV replicated rapidly in the lungs of both mouse strains, causing similar dynamic pathological changes and antibody responses.
- C57BL/6 mice demonstrated less susceptibility to MPXV, with no significant weight loss, lower viral loads, faster viral clearance, and earlier pathological improvement.
- C57BL/6 stat1-/- mice showed significant weight loss after MPXV infection, indicating a critical role for innate immunity.
- The C57BL/6 model effectively mimics asymptomatic or mild mpox cases.
Conclusions:
- MPXV susceptibility varies between mouse strains, with C57BL/6 mice exhibiting a milder phenotype.
- Innate immunity plays a crucial role in controlling MPXV infection.
- The C57BL/6 mouse model is valuable for studying mild mpox and associated immune responses.
