Vaccinia virus-mediated damage of murine ovaries and protection by virus-expressed interleukin-2.
Vaccinia virus was shown to replicate in the ovaries of normal inbred mice and cause sufficient damage to ovarian follicles to decrease fertility of the mice. The mouse-adapted strain, VV-WR, had a greater affinity for growth in ovaries than the vaccine strains, VV-Elstree, VV-NYBH or VV-Copenhagen. Virus reached the ovaries after intravenous or intraperitoneal inoculation, but not after subcutaneous inoculation in the foot pad. Interleukin-2 (IL-2), when expressed by a recombinant vaccinia virus was able to decrease the titre of virus in the ovaries and prevent infertility. Both non-specific (natural killer cells) and antigen-specific mechanisms were active within the ovaries and may play a role in the IL-2-mediated clearance of vaccinia virus.
Karupiah
G
G
John Curtin School of Medical Research, Division of Cell Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT.
Coupar
B
B
Ramshaw
I
I
Boyle
D
D
Blanden
R
R
Andrew
M
M
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010053:Ovary / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013937:Thymidine Kinase / Q000378:metabolism; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D014779:Virus Replication
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013937:Thymidine Kinase