Role of hepatocytes and Kupffer cells in age‐dependent murine hepatitis caused by a phlebovirus, Punta Toro

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-1991

Journal

Journal of Medical Virology

Volume

33

Issue

1

DOI

10.1002/jmv.1890330104

Keywords

hepatocytes; Kupffer cells; mouse hepatitis; phlebovirus; Punta Toro virus; viral hepatitis

Abstract

Punta Toro virus (PTV) infection of C57BL/6 mice results in fulminant hepatic necrosis and death in 3‐week‐old susceptible mice, but survival with minimal hepatocellular necrosis in 8‐week‐old resistant mice. Susceptibility in 3‐week‐old mice is associated with an earlier rise of viral titers in liver and serum than that occurring in 8‐week‐old resistant mice. There is also an earlier and more rapid accumulation of infectious progeny in serum vs. liver after PTV infection in both age groups, suggesting that the virus may replicate in extrahepatic sites as well as the liver. PTV infection of isolated hepatocytes and Kupffer cells from 3‐ and 8‐week‐old mice demonstrates a significant age‐related difference in the ability of these cells to support replication of PTV in vitro (P < 0.05). The age‐related difference in liver cell‐PTV interaction appears to be an inherent difference in the liver cells themselves, since there are no age‐related differences in viral adsorption, morphogenesis, cytopathic effect, or interferon action within these cells. Thus, age‐related differences in PTV replication or dissemination at extrahepatic sites, and the ability of the virus to replicate in intrahepatic sites, may be additive factors in the expression of age‐related susceptibility to PTV in C57BL/6 mice. Copyright © 1991 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company

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