Murine coronavirus-induced hepatitis: JHM genetic background eliminates A59 spike-determined hepatotropism.
Recombinant murine coronaviruses, differing only in the spike gene and containing the strain A59 (moderately hepatotropic) and JHM (neurotropic) spike genes in the background of the JHM genome, were compared for the ability to replicate in the liver and induce hepatitis in weanling C57BL/6 mice. Interestingly, expression of the A59 spike glycoprotein within the background of the neurotropic JHM strain does not reproduce the A59 hepatotropic phenotype. Thus, the JHM genetic background plays a dominant role over the spike in the determination of hepatotropism.
Navas
Sonia
S
Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6076, USA.
Weiss
Susan R
SR
D000818:Animals; D006524:Hepatitis, Viral, Animal / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D006517:Murine hepatitis virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D064370:Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014774:Virulence
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D064370:Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins