Viral perturbation of endocrine function: disordered cell function leads to disturbed homeostasis and disease

Virus-induced disease occurs both through direct destruction of cells by viruses and/or secondarily through lysis of infected cells by immunological assault. We asked whether viruses could also cause injury and disease by altering the cell's normal or expected functions without destroying the cells. Here we show that a relatively noncytopathic virus can perturb endocrine functions by disordering the synthesis of a hormone needed for growth and glucose regulation, while replicating in a specialized cell making that hormone. Yet, despite viral replication and alteration in synthesis of the specialized cell's homeostatic product, the infected cell remains free from structural injury.