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Experimental murine cytomegalovirus infection of ocular structures
Abstract:
To study experimental cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of ocular structures, 3-week-old Swiss-Webster mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with a 0% to 20% lethal inoculum of murine CMV (MCMV). Murine cytomegalovirus was recovered from homogenates of eye tissues on days 3, 5, and 7 after inoculation. Peak virus titers, mean of 2.93 +/- 0.67 log plaque-forming units of MCMV per gram of ocular tissue occurred on day 5. Urine cytomegalovirus was recovered from explant cultures of eye and optic nerve 14, 21, 60, 90, and 120 days after MCMV inoculation. Murine cytomegalovirus also persisted in intraocular fluids for as long as 90 days. Murine cytomegalovirus infection was confirmed by immunofluorescence antibody staining and transmission electron microscopy. These experiments indicate that MCMV infects the ocular tissues of mice during systemic MCMV infection, and persists in ocular tissues for as long as 120 days after infection. These studies may be directly relevant to ocular disorders that occur during acquired CMV infections of humans, and suggest that ocular tissues may be a site of CMV persistence or latency.
Insights
Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infects mouse eyes and persists for up to 120 days. This study reveals ocular tissues as a potential site for cytomegalovirus persistence or latency.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections can cause ocular disorders.
- The potential for CMV to persist in ocular tissues is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the susceptibility of ocular structures to experimental murine CMV (MCMV) infection.
- To determine the duration of MCMV persistence within ocular tissues and fluids.
Main Methods:
- Swiss-Webster mice were inoculated with a lethal dose of MCMV.
- Ocular tissues and fluids were analyzed for MCMV presence using virus recovery, explant cultures, and molecular methods.
- Immunofluorescence antibody staining and transmission electron microscopy confirmed MCMV infection.
Main Results:
- MCMV was recovered from ocular tissues 3, 5, and 7 days post-inoculation, with peak titers on day 5.
- MCMV persisted in eye and optic nerve explant cultures for up to 120 days.
- MCMV was detected in intraocular fluids for up to 90 days.
Conclusions:
- MCMV infects ocular tissues during systemic infection in mice.
- Ocular tissues serve as a long-term reservoir for MCMV, suggesting a potential site for viral persistence or latency.
- These findings have implications for understanding human CMV-related ocular diseases.