title: Transforming growth factor beta production during rat cytomegalovirus infection.
abstract: We analysed the production of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) during a cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in a rat model system. Splenocytes from immunocompetent rats infected with rat CMV (RCMV) released increased amounts of TGF-beta1. TGF-beta production was also evident in RCMV-infected radiation-immunosuppressed rats; their sera inhibited the interleukin 2-induced proliferation of T cells, which could be restored by anti-TGF-beta antibodies. In addition, TGF-beta production could be visualized immunohistologically in the lungs, spleen, liver and bone marrow of radiation-immunosuppressed infected rats. The virus directly induced this cytokine since TGF-beta was produced upon RCMV infection in vitro. The induction of TGF-beta production may contribute to immunosuppression during CMV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Veterinary Faculty, Utrecht University, The Netherlands. Haagmans@vetmic.dgk.ruu.nl
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Haagmans
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Teerds
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van den Eijnden-van Raaij
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Horzinek
authors.forename: V E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Schijns
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011914:Rats, Inbred BN; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D007371:Interferon-gamma