Summary auto-generated
Researchers developed a mouse model to study human foamy virus (HFV) infection in vivo using molecularly cloned virus. Two inbred mouse strains, CBA/Ca and C57BL/6J, were infected with HFV and monitored over 24 weeks. The infection persisted in both strains without causing clinical disease. However, the strains showed markedly different infection patterns: CBA/Ca mice showed progressive viral DNA dissemination to multiple organs over time, while C57BL/6J mice exhibited early dissemination followed by gradual viral restriction. These differences correlated with distinct immune responses—C57BL/6J mice mounted strong antibody responses against viral Gag and Bet proteins, whereas CBA/Ca mice developed weaker responses with no detectable Bet antibodies. When infected as neonates, both strains maintained persistent infection, though with reduced immune responses initially. Viruses with long terminal repeat (LTR) deletions were also able to infect mice, with the dominant variant in the inoculum remaining dominant in vivo. The study demonstrates that inbred mice can serve as a useful model for investigating foamy virus-host interactions, particularly regarding the role of viral proteins like Bet in mediating infection and immune control.
Key findings
- Human foamy virus establishes persistent asymptomatic infection in two mouse strains (CBA/Ca and C57BL/6J) with different patterns of viral dissemination and immune responses
- C57BL/6J mice restrict viral spread after initial dissemination and develop strong Bet-specific antibodies, while CBA/Ca mice show progressive viral organ dissemination with weak Bet antibody responses
- Foamy virus variants with long terminal repeat (LTR) deletions can replicate in mice, with the dominant variant in the inoculum becoming the dominant variant in infected animals
- Mouse infection models can be used to study foamy virus-host interactions and potentially elucidate the role of viral proteins in immune evasion and viral persistence
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Abstract
A mouse model was developed to study the virus-host interaction of molecularly cloned human foamy virus (HFV) in vivo. The infectious process was analysed in two mouse strains, CBA/Ca and C57BL/6J, over a period of 24 weeks by PCR on DNAs from various animal tissues; virus serology was examined by immunoblotting. The infection persisted in both mouse strains and did not induce clinical symptoms. Upon infection of adult CBA/Ca mice HFV became detectable by PCR in an increasing number of organs over time. In contrast, in C57BL/6J mice, after an initial phase of dissemination, viral DNA sequences were found only in a few organs. Interestingly, the different course of infection was accompanied by differences in the antiviral immune response. In particular, C57BL/6J mice were high responders with respect to antibodies to the viral Bet protein, while CBA/Ca mice were low responders.