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Maintenance of pluripotency in mouse embryonic stem cells persistently infected with murine coronavirus

A Okumura1, K Machii, S Azuma

  • 1Department of Animal Pathology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Japan.

Journal of Virology
|June 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Persistent coronavirus infection in mouse embryonic stem cells (ES cells) did not impede their differentiation. Infected ES cells maintained key markers and the ability to form embryoid bodies, suggesting resilience to viral effects.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Stem Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Embryonic stem (ES) cells are crucial for developmental studies.
  • Understanding the impact of persistent viral infections on stem cell function is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of persistent mouse hepatitis virus type-2 (MHV-2) infection on the differentiation potential of ES cells.
  • To establish and characterize a persistently infected ES cell line.

Main Methods:

  • Infection of the A3-1 ES cell line with MHV-2 to create the A3/MHV cell line.
  • Analysis of cell surface differentiation markers.
  • Assessment of embryoid body formation capability.

Main Results:

  • A persistently infected ES cell line (A3/MHV) was successfully established.
  • Infected A3/MHV cells showed comparable levels of differentiation markers to uninfected A3-1 cells.
  • A3/MHV cells retained their ability to form embryoid bodies.

Conclusions:

  • Persistent coronavirus infection does not impair the differentiation capacity of mouse embryonic stem cells.
  • ES cells can maintain pluripotency and differentiation potential despite chronic viral presence.

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