Identification of nitric oxide synthase 2 as an innate resistance locus against ectromelia virus infection.
To assess whether nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) fulfills the criteria of an innate resistance locus against an acute viral infection, we inoculated genetically deficient NOS2-/- mice with virulent ectromelia virus (EV), the causative agent of mousepox. NOS2-/- mice proved highly susceptible to EV yet showed no diminution in other well-characterized anti-EV immune responses, i.e. , gamma interferon secretion and NK cell and EV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte activities. Thus, the NOS2 locus can be considered a critical monogenic determinant of EV resistance that contributes to host survival.
Karupiah
G
G
Host Defense Laboratory, Viral Engineering and Cytokines Group, Division of Immunology and Cell Biology, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia. Guna.Karupiah@anu.edu.au
Chen
J H
JH
Nathan
C F
CF
Mahalingam
S
S
MacMicking
J D
JD
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004481:Ectromelia virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D017353:Gene Deletion; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C496317:Nos2 protein, mouse