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Variability in IFN Secretion in Response to the Human Metapneumovirus CZ0107 Strain: A Comparative Study in BALB/c

Catalina A Andrade1, Mario A Ramírez1, Tays Troncoso-Bravo1

  • 1Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

Journal of Medical Virology
|January 29, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection elicits varied interferon (IFN) responses in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. BALB/c mice showed higher overall IFN secretion, potentially explaining their less severe clinical outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a significant respiratory pathogen impacting young children.
  • Interferon (IFN) response variability influences HMPV replication control and disease severity.
  • Understanding differential IFN profiles in animal models is crucial for HMPV research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the interferon (IFN) secretion profiles induced by HMPV-CZ0107 infection in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice.
  • To investigate the impact of HMPV infection on natural killer (NK) cell activation in different mouse strains.
  • To correlate IFN response patterns with observed clinical parameters in HMPV-infected mice.

Main Methods:

  • BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice were infected with the HMPV-CZ0107 clinical strain.
  • Expression of various IFN types was measured at the study endpoint.
  • Activation patterns of IFN-secreting natural killer (NK) cells were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • BALB/c mice exhibited significant weight loss and viral replication, with widespread IFN secretion.
  • C57BL/6 mice showed neutrophil infiltration and localized IFN-α and IFN-γ secretion in the lungs.
  • Distinct activation patterns of immature and mature NK cells were observed in both mouse strains.

Conclusions:

  • HMPV-CZ0107 infection induces differential IFN responses in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice.
  • BALB/c mice demonstrate higher overall IFN secretion compared to C57BL/6 mice.
  • The observed IFN response variations may contribute to the differing clinical manifestations of HMPV infection in these models.
Keywords:
BALB/c miceC57BL/6 miceantiviral functionhuman metapneumovirusinterferons

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