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Murine cytomegalovirus-associated arteritis
C A Dangler1, S E Baker, M Kariuki Njenga
1Department of Veterinary Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA.
Veterinary Pathology
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection in mice causes inflammatory lesions in the aorta and pulmonary artery. These lesions were observed in both normal and high-fat diet-fed mice, suggesting MCMV impacts vascular health.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of arteries.
- Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) is a common viral infection with potential systemic effects.
- The impact of MCMV on diet-induced atherosclerosis is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of MCMV infection on the development of diet-induced atherosclerotic lesions in mice.
- To characterize MCMV-associated inflammatory lesions in the aorta and pulmonary artery.
Main Methods:
- Suckling BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice were inoculated with MCMV.
- Mice were fed either a normal or an atherogenic diet from weaning.
- Inflammatory lesions were analyzed for prevalence and cellular composition (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ lymphocytes, macrophages).
Main Results:
- MCMV infection induced unique inflammatory lesions in the ascending aorta and pulmonary artery.
- Lesion prevalence was high (87.5-100%) in MCMV-infected mice regardless of diet or strain.
- Lesions were characterized by mononuclear cell infiltrates, including lymphocytes and macrophages, particularly in adventitia and media.
Conclusions:
- MCMV infection can induce significant arteritis in mice.
- The observed vascular inflammation occurs independently of diet-induced atherosclerosis.
- MCMV may play a role in vascular inflammation and disease progression.