Coxsackievirus B3-induced myocarditis in MHC class II-deficient mice.
OBJECTIVE
The pathogenesis of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-induced myocarditis was investigated in immunocompetent C57BL/6 and MHC class II knockout mice with identical genetic backgrounds.


METHODS
We analyzed the histology and immunohistology of myocardial injury, the replicating virus titer, and antibody response in the early and late phase of disease.


RESULTS
CVB3-infected C57BL/6 mice showed acute myocarditis, with spontaneous healing, virus elimination, anti-CVB3 IgM/IgG production, and neutralizing antibody response. In contrast, MHC class II knockout mice developed less severe acute myocarditis, persistence of infiltrations and strong fibrosis, virus persistence, and weak IgG response, with absence of virus neutralizing antibodies.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunodeficient organisms are more susceptible to long-term heart muscle injuries after infection with CVB3. The presence of CD4+ T cells are necessary to prevent the development of chronic disease.
Leipner
C
C
Institute of Virology, Medical Faculty, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany. carola.leipner@uni-jena.de
Borchers
M
M
Merkle
I
I
Stelzner
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D003384:Coxsackievirus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D029822:Enterovirus B, Human / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D017353:Gene Deletion; D006321:Heart / Q000821:virology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000032:analysis; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis; D019562:Viral Load
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015703:Antigens, CD; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha