Spread of infection and lymphocyte depletion in mice depends on polymerase of influenza virus.
SC35M is a mouse-adapted variant of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus SC35. We have previously shown that interspecies adaptation is mediated by mutations in the viral polymerase and that it is paralleled by the acquisition of high pathogenicity for mice. In the present study, we have compared virus spread and organ tropism of SC35 and SC35M in mice. We show that SC35 virus causes mild bronchiolitis in these animals, whereas infection with the mouse-adapted SC35M virus leads to severe hemorrhagic pneumonia with dissemination to other organs, including the brain. In SC35M-infected animals, viral RNA and viral antigen were detected in monocytes and macrophages, and SC35M, unlike SC35, replicated in lymphocyte and macrophage cultures in vitro. SC35M did not induce an adequate cytokine response but, unlike SC35, caused severe lymphopenia in mice. These observations suggest that the high efficiency of the SC35M polymerase is responsible for infection and depletion of lymphocytes and other white blood cells, which results in immune suppression and systemic virus spread.
Gabriel
Gülsah
G
Heinrich-Pette-Institut für Experimentelle Virologie und Immunologie, an der Universität Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, Hamburg, Germany. guelsah.gabriel@hpi.uni-hamburg.de
Klingel
Karin
K
Planz
Oliver
O
Bier
Katja
K
Herwig
Astrid
A
Sauter
Martina
M
Klenk
Hans-Dieter
HD
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001988:Bronchiolitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002642:Chick Embryo; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D053126:Influenza A Virus, H7N7 Subtype / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D051379:Mice; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000821:virology*; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral
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