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Influenza viral infections enhance sleep in mice
J Fang1, C K Sanborn, K B Renegar
1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Tennessee, Memphis 38163, USA.
Abstract:
Sleepiness is a common perception during viral infection. Nevertheless, very little is known about the effects of viral infection on sleep. The aim of the present study was to test whether sleep was altered by influenza viral infection in mice. After 2-3 days of baseline sleep recordings, Swiss-Webster mice were infected intranasally with a lethal (H1N1) or a nonlethal (H3N2) strain of influenza virus. Sleep was recorded again for an additional 3 days. Non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS) was dramatically increased after inoculation of the H1N1 virus with a latency about 16 hr. Rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) was significantly suppressed after a long latency. Both changes lasted until the end of the recording and occurred in both young (35-day-old) and adult (90- to 100-day-old) animals. Control animals did not show changes in sleep after sham infection with allantoic fluid. The H1N1 virus also caused dramatic decreases in body temperature and locomotor activities with a latency about 4-5 hr after viral inoculation. The H3N2 virus induced very similar changes in sleep, although the effects were much smaller in magnitude than those induced by the H1N1 virus, even though a much higher dose (10-fold) of the H3N2 virus was used. The present study shows that influenza viral infection induces profound and long-lasting increase of NREMS and suppression of REMS. These viral-induced changes in sleep likely represent a host-defense response.
Insights
Influenza viral infection significantly alters sleep patterns in mice, increasing non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS) and decreasing rapid eye movement sleep (REMS). These sleep changes are likely part of the host
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Sleep Science
- Immunology
Background:
- Sleepiness is commonly perceived during viral infections, but the specific effects of viral infections on sleep architecture remain poorly understood.
- Investigating sleep alterations during influenza infection can provide insights into host-defense mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if influenza viral infection alters sleep patterns in mice.
- To characterize the changes in non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS) and rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) following influenza infection.
Main Methods:
- Swiss-Webster mice were infected intranasally with lethal (H1N1) or nonlethal (H3N2) influenza strains.
- Baseline sleep was recorded for 2-3 days, followed by 3 days of post-infection recording.
- Body temperature and locomotor activity were also monitored.
Main Results:
- H1N1 infection caused a dramatic, long-lasting increase in NREMS and suppression of REMS, starting around 16 hours post-infection.
- Similar, though less pronounced, sleep changes were observed with H3N2 infection.
- H1N1 infection also led to decreased body temperature and locomotor activity.
Conclusions:
- Influenza viral infection induces profound and sustained alterations in sleep, characterized by increased NREMS and decreased REMS.
- These sleep modifications are likely a component of the host's innate immune response to viral pathogens.
- The findings highlight the significant impact of viral infections on host physiology and behavior.