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Biomedical subjects

S A Stohlman

Publications and source records attributed to S A Stohlman.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Natural killer cell activity during mouse hepatitis virus infection: response in the absence of interferon.

The ability of the JHM3 strain of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) to induce natural killer (NK) cells was examined. Infection of C57BL/6 (B6) mice with this virus resulted in the augmentation of natural cytotoxicity against YAC-I target cells in the absence of a detectable interferon response. The cells responsible for this increased cytotoxicity were sensitive to complement-mediated lysis with an anti-Q-5 reagent but not with a Thy 1.2 antiserum, indicating that they possess an NK-like surface phenotype. Although variation in the NK response of individual B6 mice following JHM virus infection was found, even the animal with the most responsive NK cell population had no detectable interferon in the spleen. This finding contrasted with observations with an unrelated virus (lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus) and a serologically related strain of MHV. Infection with both of these viruses induced augmented NK cell activity and interferon responses. In addition, we found that neither the ability to mount an augmented NK cell response nor preferential lysis of virus-infected targets correlated with resistance or susceptibility to JHM virus infection.

Animals↗

Antigenic relationships of murine coronaviruses.

Two serological tests were used to examine the antigenic relationships between murine hepatitis viruses that cause different diseases in mice. Antisera prepared by immunization of mice with the individual viruses were tested for their ability to neutralize both the homologous immunogen and the other viruses. By a plaque reduction neutralization test, each antiserum was found to be specific for the immunizing virus; however, there was substantial cross-reactivity, indicating the viruses were closely related. By kinetic neutralization, two of the viruses tested, MHV-JHM and MHV-2, were found to be antigenically distinct. MHV-3 and MHV-A59 were found to be antigenically very similar but distinct. These data show that kinetic neutralization is a more precise method for determining the antigenic relationships between murine coronaviruses.

Animals↗

Genetic heterogeneity of murine coronaviruses.

Several mouse hepatitis viruses (MHV) with different pathogenicity were studied by oligonucleotide fingerprinting. Two strains, MHV-K and MHV-D, which were isolated in Japan and, which cause anaplasia and necrosis of bone marrow and diarrhea, respectively, were found to be closely related to MHV-A59, the prototype MHV. Two other MHV strains, isolated from nude mice, were found to have diverged extensively from the known MHV strains. The MHVs isolated from separate cloned neuroblastoma cell lines persistently infected with JHM strain were also found to have diverged more markedly than the corresponding virus maintained under the conditions of lytic infection. Genetic divergence during persistent infection may be one of the mechanisms by which the MHV diverges.

Animals↗

Antigenic relationships of murine coronaviruses: analysis using monoclonal antibodies to JHM (MHV-4) virus.

Monoclonal antibodies were produced to JHMV-DL, a neurotropic member of the mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) or murine coronavirus group. Of 23 antibodies isolated, 10 were specific for the major envelope glycoprotein, gp180/90, 10 for the nucleocapsid protein, pp60, and 3 for the minor envelope glycoprotein, gp25. Eleven different MHV isolates were used in antibody binding assays to study antigenic relationships among the viruses. Each MHV isolate tested had a unique pattern of antibody binding, indicating that each is a distinct strain. Conservation of JHMV-DL antigenic determinants varied among the three proteins, with pp60 showing intermediate conservation, gp180/90 little conservation, and gp25 marked conservation in the different MHV strains. Monoclonal antibodies to pp60 proved most useful in delineating antigenic relationships among MHV strains. These antigenic groups correlated with pathogenic types, indicating that pp60 may be one of the gene products which mediates the distinct disease patterns manifested by different murine coronaviruses.

Animals↗

Improvements in obtaining and characterizing mouse cerebrospinal fluid. Application to mouse hepatitis virus-induced encephalomyelitis.

This report describes advances in techniques for analyzing cellular and humoral immune components in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the mouse that are applicable to other laboratory animals. CSF studies undertaken during experimental infection of mice with JHM strain virus (JHMV) of mouse hepatitis virus are presented. A critical pitfall which can lead to erroneous or invalid results is contamination of the CSF by even minute quantities of blood. Means of avoiding this contamination are attention to anatomical reference points, the use of a micropipet, and prior intracardiac perfusion of animals with phosphate-buffered saline. Cells in the CSF were typed as either B, T, polymorphonuclear, or mononuclear cells by the combination of a microcytotoxicity assay and histologic stains. A radioimmunoassay (RIA) allowed quantification of antibodies to JHMV in the CSF and indicated the presence of intrathecal synthesis of antibody in chronically infected mice. The combined use of these sensitive methods makes possible CSF analysis in individual mice rather than in pooled groups.

Animals↗

Presence of leader sequences in the mRNA of mouse hepatitis virus.

To determine the structure and the mechanism of synthesis of mouse hepatitis virus mRNA, the map positions of the large RNase T1-resistant oligonucleotides of the seven mouse hepatitis virus strain A59 intracellular mRNA species were studied. We found that all but one of the oligonucleotides were mapped at the positions within each mRNA consistent with the nested-set, stairlike structure of mouse hepatitis virus mRNA (Lai et al., J. Virol. 39:823-834). However, one oligonucleotide, 10, was mapped near the 5' ends of every mRNA and virion genomic RNA. In other words, oligonucleotide 10 and, therefore, the sequences around the 5' ends of the mRNAs are not colinear with the genomic sequences. Because this oligonucleotide is present only once in the genomic RNA, this result indicates that oligonucleotide 10 is not transcribed from multiple sites on the genomic template, but rather represents a leader RNA sequence which is joined to the body sequences of the different mRNAs during mRNA transcription. This provides the most direct evidence thus far for the presence of leader sequences in the mRNAs of mouse hepatitis virus, which is a cytoplasmic virus. Several possible mechanisms of RNA synthesis are discussed.

Base Sequence↗

Characterization of replicative intermediate RNA of mouse hepatitis virus: presence of leader RNA sequences on nascent chains.

Mouse hepatitis virus A59 codes for seven mRNAs in infected cells. These mRNAs are transcribed from a minus (-) strand template of genome length and contain a leader RNA at their 5' ends. To further elucidate the mechanism of coronavirus transcription, we examined the structure of mouse hepatitis virus replicative intermediates (RIs) isolated by 2 M NaCl precipitation and Sepharose 2-B column chromatography. Purified RIs migrated as a single species on agarose gels and sedimented between 12 and 38S on 10 to 25% sucrose gradients. The complexes were readily heat denatured into a heterogeneous population of smaller RNA molecules which probably represent nascent plus (+) strands. RNase A digestion of RIs produced a single replicative form which sedimented between 30 and 32S. These data suggest that the RI is composed of a single genome-sized (-) strand hydrogen bonded to an average of 4 to 6.5 nascent (+) strands. In contrast, a column-purified replicative form was extremely resistant to RNase A digestion and heat denaturation and migrated as a single RNA species on agarose gels and sucrose gradients. Oligonucleotide fingerprinting of an RI revealed the presence of the 5' leader RNA on the nascent (+) strands. In addition, an average of 6.2 cap structures were present in each RI, which agrees with the average number of nascent (+) strands per RI. These data suggest that the leader RNA is utilized as a primer for mouse hepatitis virus RNA transcription and is not added to mRNA post-transcriptionally.

Animals↗

Coronaviridae.

The family Coronaviridae comprises a monogeneric group of 11 viruses which infect vertebrates. The main characteristics of the member viruses are: (i) Morphological: Enveloped pleomorphic particles typically 100 nm in diameter (range 60-220 nm), bearing about 20 nm long club-shaped surface projections. (ii) Structural: A single-stranded infectious molecule of genomic RNA of about (5-7) X 10(6) molecular weight. A phosphorylated nucleocapsid protein [mol. wt. (50-60) X 10(3)] complexed with the genome as a helical ribonucleoprotein; a surface (peplomer) protein, associated with one or two glycosylated polypeptides [mol. wt. (90-180) X 10(3)]; a transmembrane (matrix) protein, associated with one polypeptide which may be glycosylated to different degrees [mol. wt. (20-35) X 10(3)]. (iii) Replicative: Production in infected cells of multiple 3' coterminal subgenomic mRNAs extending for different lengths in the 5' direction. Virions bud intracytoplasmically. (iv) Antigenic: 3 major antigens, each corresponding to one class of virion protein. (v) Biological: Predominantly restricted to infection of natural vertebrate hosts by horizontal transmission via the fecal/oral route. Responsible main for respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders.

Antigens, Viral↗

Immune function in congenital osteopetrosis: defective lymphocyte function in microphthalmic mice.

Osteopetrosis is a prominent feature of a congenital mutation described in microphthalmic mice and is thought to be due to defective osteoclast function which causes a generalized lack of bone resorption. Reversal of defective bone resorption in osteopetrotic mutants has been achieved by hematopoietic cell transplantations; and conversely, defective bone resorption has been transferred to normals by hematopoietic cells from osteopetrotic littermates. This suggested that osteopetrotic mutants might also demonstrate defective immune functions which could in turn be related to the lack of normal bone resorption. To that end, aspects of in vitro lymphocyte function in microphthalmic mice were compared to those of their phenotypically normal littermates. There was a significant diminution in the proliferative response of splenocytes to mitogens in microphthalmic mice. Microphthalmic splenocytes also were less responsive in an in vitro assay which measured the capacity to form antibody forming cells.

Animals↗

Murine coronaviruses: isolation and characterization of two plaque morphology variants of the JHM neurotropic strain.

Two plaque-size variants of the neurotropic JHM strain of mouse hepatitis virus have been isolated from the virus stock after eight serial passages in suckling mouse brain. One variant, JHM-DL, produces large plaques, while the other, JHM-DS, produces small plaques in tissue culture. DS replicates more slowly, has a lower virus yield in vitro, and is less virulent for mice than DL. They also differ in their pathogenicity for mice: JHM-DL infection results in acute encephalomyelitis while JHM-DS infection results in demyelination. Oligonucleotide fingerprint analysis of the RNA genomes of these two variants revealed that they had almost identical genetic sequences. Each variant, however, had a unique oligonucleotide spot not found in the other. The unique spot of the large plaque variant, JHM-DL, was localized at approximately 3 to 5 kb from the 3' end, while the JHM-DS unique spot was mapped at 14 to 15 kb from the 3' end of the genome. We have further shown that these oligonucleotide changes are not correlated with the plaque morphology. These two viruses may be useful for studying the molecular basis of virus-induced demyelination.

Animals↗

Macrophage antiviral activity: extrinsic versus intrinsic activity.

Peritoneal exudate cells from strains of mice both resistant and susceptible to challenge with mouse hepatitis virus strain JHM were examined for extrinsic and intrinsic antiviral activity. Thioglycolate-elicited and resident peritoneal cells from uninfected mice were able to suppress viral growth in a permissive cell. The active cell in both populations is an adherent, radiation-resistant, Thy-1.2 antigen- and Ia antigen-negative cell. The suppression of virus replication was not related to nonspecific cellular cytotoxicity directed against the permissive host cell, and no interferon was detected. The expression of extrinsic antiviral activity was not related to the ability of the host to resist mouse hepatitis virus infection by virtue of either age or genetic background. The expression of intrinsic antiviral activity, on the other hand, correlated with the ability of the host to resist virus challenge, indicating a characteristic distinction between these two in vitro mechanisms of macrophage-mediated antiviral activity with regard to host resistance to viral infection. Further, the ability of a macrophage to support viral replication itself was independent of the ability of the macrophage to suppress virus growth in another cell.

Aging↗

Further characterization of mRNA's of mouse hepatitis virus: presence of common 5'-end nucleotides.

The mouse hepatitis virus strain A59 codes for seven RNA species in the infected cells. These virus-specific RNAs were found to be polysome associated and therefore likely to represent mRNA's. All of them have common 3'-end sequences (Lai et al., J. Virol. 39:823-834, 1981). Their structure was further studied with respect to their 5'-end sequences. It was found that all of these mRNA's contained cap structures at their 5' ends. Furthermore, the cap-containing oligonucleotides which represent the sequences immediately adjacent to the 5' ends were found to be the same for most, if not all, of the seven virus-specific mRNA's. These sequences are also identical to the 5'-end sequences of the virion RNA genome. The 5'-end sequences were tentatively determined to be 5'-cap-N-UAAG. The presence of the common nucleotides in all of the virus-specific RNAs in mouse hepatitis virus strain A59 suggests several possible mechanisms of synthesis for these RNAs. The significance of these findings is discussed.

Base Sequence↗

Characterization of two RNA polymerase activities induced by mouse hepatitis virus.

RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity was found in mouse hepatitis virus strain A59 (MHV-A59)-infected cells. The enzyme was induced in the infected cells and could not be detected in the MHV-A59 virion. Two peaks of RNA polymerase activity, one early and the other late in infection, were detected. These polymerase activities were in temporal sequence with early and late virus-specific RNA synthesis. Both of them were found to be associated with membrane fractions. There were significant differences in the enzymatic properties of the two polymerases. The early polymerase, but not the late polymerase, could be activated by potassium ions in the absence of magnesium ions and also had a lower optimum pH than the late polymerase. It was therefore probable that the enzymes represent two different species of RNA polymerase and perform different roles in virus-specific RNA synthesis. The effects of cycloheximide on MHV-specific RNA synthesis were determined. Continuous protein synthesis was required for both early and late RNA synthesis and might also be required for shutoff of early RNA synthesis.

Animals↗

Replication of mouse hepatitis virus: negative-stranded RNA and replicative form RNA are of genome length.

There are seven virus-specific mRNA species in mouse hepatitis virus-infected cells (Lai et al., J. Virol. 39:823-834, 1981). In this study, we examined virus-specific negative-stranded RNA to determine whether there are corresponding multiple negative-stranded RNAs. Intracellular RNA from mouse hepatitis virus-infected cells was separated by agarose gel electrophoresis, transferred to nitrocellulose membranes, and hybridized to positive-stranded genomic 60S [32P]RNA. Only a single RNA species of genomic size was detected under these conditions. This RNA was negative stranded. No negative-stranded subgenomic RNA was detected. We also studied double-stranded replicative-form RNA in the infected cells. Only one replicative-form of genomic size was detected. When the double-stranded RNA isolated without RNase treatment was analyzed, again only one RNA species of genomic size was detectable. Furthermore, most of the virus-specific mRNAs could be released from this RNA species upon heating. These results suggest that all of the mouse hepatitis virus-specific RNAs are transcribed from a single species of negative-stranded RNA template of genomic size.

Animals↗

Macrophages and resistance to JHM virus CNS infection.

Thioglycollate elicited peritoneal exudate cells from resistant SJL mice, younger susceptible SJL mice, and susceptible ASW, BALB/c, and C57/BL6 mice all exhibit extrinsic antiviral activity. The active cell was characterized as a Thy 1.2 negative, Ia negative, radiation resistant adherent cell. The antiviral activity was not due to nonspecific cellular cytotoxicity directed against the susceptible cell nor interferon. Adherent PE cells from resistant and susceptible SJL mice were similar with respect to the number of phagocytes, nonspecific esterase containing, Fc, and C3b receptor bearing cells. Finally, extrinsic antiviral activity was not dependent upon intrinsic antiviral activity.

Age Factors↗

Genome structure of mouse hepatitis virus: comparative analysis by oligonucleotide mapping.

Several natural variants of mouse hepatitis viruses have been compared by the T1-oligonucleotide fingerprinting technique. In general, they have diverged quite extensively. However, MHV-3, a hepatotropic strain, and A59, a nonpathogenic strain, were found to be extremely related. Yet, each of them contains 2-4 specific oligonucleotides. One of the MHV-3-specific oligonucleotides was mapped in 30S poly(A)-containing RNA or 6-7 Kb from the 3-end and the other near the 5'-end of the genome. These two genetic regions might be associated with viral pathogenicity. In addition, two JHM plaque variants, DL producing large plaques and DS producing small plaques, were also compared. They share almost all T1-oligonucleotides, but each contains one unique spot. The DL-specific oligonucleotide was mapped in 21S poly(A)-containing RNA or at about 4 kb from the 3'-end. Finally, the MHV genome was found to contain the "cap" structure, confirming that it is a positive-stranded RNA.

Animals↗

Host cell nuclear function and murine hepatitis virus replication.

Murine hepatitis virus strains A59 and JHM replicated with equal efficiency in both nucleated and enucleated L2 cells. In addition, treatment of the host cell with either actinomycin D or alpha-amanitin, both inhibitors of host cell RNA synthesis, had no effect on virus replication. Therefore, the replication of murine hepatitis virus did not appear to depend upon either the presence of the host cell nucleus or continued host cell RNA synthesis.

Amanitins↗