Immune responses to the major capsid protein during parvovirus infection of rats.
Rat virus (RV) is a common parvovirus of laboratory rodents which can disrupt rat-based research. Prenatal or perinatal infection can be pathogenic or lead to persistent infection, whereas infection of adult rats is typically self-limiting. Effects on the host immune system have been documented during RV infection, but little is known about immune responses necessary for viral clearance. Our studies were conducted to identify humoral and cellular responses to the predominant capsid protein, VP2, during experimental infection of adult rats. We observed VP2-specific proliferation, gamma interferon production, and an immunoglobulin G2a humoral response that is maintained for at least 35 days following RV infection. These results strongly suggest the induction of virus-specific Th1-mediated immunity.
Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8016, USA. lisa.ball-goodrich@yale.edu
Lisa J
LJ
Ball-Goodrich
Frank X
FX
Paturzo
Elizabeth A
EA
Johnson
Krista
K
Steger
Robert O
RO
Jacoby
D000818:Animals; D002213:Capsid / Q000276:immunology*; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D010322:Parvoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D017992:Parvovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D036022:Capsid Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma