Related Experiment Videos
Herpetic keratitis in inbred mice
Abstract:
The corneas of four inbred strains of mice (BALB/c, DBA/2, C3H and C57BL/6) were inoculated with the RE strain of herpes simplex virus, type 1. The corneas were examined at frequent intervals and graded on a scale of 0 (clear cornea) to +5 (severe necrotizing stromal keratitis). At 3 weeks postinfection, the mean corneal scores were: DBA/2, 4.0; BALB/c, 2.2; C3H, 0.7; and C57BL/6, 0.15. The differences between the scores are statistically significant (P less than 0.05), except for the C3H and C57BL/6 strains. The order of severity of corneal disease in these mice corresponds to the order of susceptibility to systemic infection found in these same inbred strains. Additional studies of herpetic keratitis in inbred mice should prove helpful in understanding the genetic and immunologic basis of herpetic stromal keratitis.
Insights
DBA/2 mice showed the most severe herpes simplex virus keratitis, while C57BL/6 mice had the mildest. This suggests genetic factors influence herpetic stromal keratitis severity in mice.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Herpetic stromal keratitis (HSK) is a significant cause of blindness.
- Understanding the genetic basis of HSK is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the susceptibility of different inbred mouse strains to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) induced keratitis.
- To correlate corneal disease severity with systemic infection susceptibility in inbred mice.
Main Methods:
- Four inbred mouse strains (BALB/c, DBA/2, C3H, C57BL/6) were inoculated in the cornea with HSV-1 (RE strain).
- Corneal disease was assessed using a 0-5 severity scale over 3 weeks.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare disease scores between strains.
Main Results:
- DBA/2 mice exhibited the highest mean corneal score (4.0), indicating severe necrotizing stromal keratitis.
- BALB/c mice showed moderate keratitis (2.2), C3H mice had mild keratitis (0.7), and C57BL/6 mice displayed minimal disease (0.15).
- Significant differences in disease severity were observed (P<0.05), except between C3H and C57BL/6 strains.
Conclusions:
- Corneal disease severity in response to HSV-1 infection correlates with the known susceptibility of these inbred mouse strains to systemic infection.
- Inbred mouse models are valuable for studying the genetic and immunological underpinnings of herpetic stromal keratitis.