Gender-related differences in susceptibility, early virus dissemination and immunosuppression in mice infected with Friend murine leukaemia virus variant FIS-2.
An emerging amount of data indicates a correlation between gender-related factors and regulation of virus infection and supports what is known in clinical circles, that these topics are of great importance in many infectious diseases. In the present study we found that young adult NMRI male mice are more susceptible to infection by a variant of Friend murine leukaemia virus, FIS-2, than are female mice. We observed that the level of virus in serum, bone marrow and spleen was initially higher in male mice. Male mice were also more susceptible to FIS-2-induced immunosuppression. These results indicate a more efficient virus replication and dissemination in male mice. Studies with recombinant viruses between FIS-2 and the prototype Friend murine leukaemia virus revealed that FIS-2 LTR is one major factor contributing to the observed gender differences. A possible sex hormone influence on FIS-2 transcription due to the presence of a glucocorticoid response element in FIS-2 LTR is discussed.
Bruland
Torunn
T
UNIGEN Center for Molecular Biology/Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7489 Trondheim, Norway1.
Dai
Hong Yan
HY
UNIGEN Center for Molecular Biology/Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7489 Trondheim, Norway1.
Lavik
Liss Anne S
LAS
UNIGEN Center for Molecular Biology/Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7489 Trondheim, Norway1.
Kristiansen
Lena I
LI
UNIGEN Center for Molecular Biology/Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7489 Trondheim, Norway1.
Dalen
Are
A
Department of Microbiology/Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Trondheim Regional Hospital/NTNU, N-7489 Trondheim, Norway2.
D000818:Animals; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005622:Friend murine leukemia virus / Q000235:genetics; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007942:Leukemia, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D012192:Retroviridae Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013154:Spleen / Q000821:virology; D013997:Time Factors; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D014766:Viremia