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J. Virol., Dec 1997, 9248-9258, Vol 71, No. 12
JS Orange, TP Salazar-Mather, SM Opal and CA Biron
The contribution of endogenous NK cells and cytokines to virus-induced
liver pathology was evaluated during murine cytomegalovirus infections of
mice. In immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice, the virus induced a self- limited
liver disease characterized by hepatitis, with focal inflammation, and
large grossly visible subcapsular necrotic foci. The inflammatory foci were
most numerous and contained the greatest number of cells 3 days after
infection; they colocalized with areas of viral antigen expression. The
largest number of necrotic foci was found 2 days after infection. Overall
hepatic damage, assessed as increased expression of liver enzymes in serum,
accompanied the development of inflammatory and necrotic foci. Experiments
with neutralizing antibodies demonstrated that although virus-induced tumor
necrosis factor (TNF) can have antiviral effects, it also mediated
significant liver pathology. TNF was required for development of hepatic
necrotic foci and increased levels of liver enzymes in serum but not for
increased numbers of inflammatory foci. The necrotic foci and liver enzyme
indications of pathology occurred independently of NK and T cells, because
mice rendered NK-cell deficient by treatment with antibodies, T- and
B-cell-deficient Rag-/- mice, and NK- and T-cell- deficient E26 mice all
manifested both parameters of disease. Development of necrotic foci and
maximally increased levels of liver enzymes in serum also were TNF
dependent in NK-cell-deficient mice. Moreover, in the immunodeficient E26
mice, virus-induced liver disease was progressive, with eventual death of
the host, and neutralization of TNF significantly increased longevity.
These results establish conditions separating hepatitis from significant
liver damage and demonstrate a cytokine-mediated component to viral
pathogenesis.
Copyright © 1997, American Society for Microbiology
Mechanisms for virus-induced liver disease: tumor necrosis factor- mediated pathology independent of natural killer and T cells during murine cytomegalovirus infection
Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
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