Genetic influences on the augmentation of natural killer (NK) cells during murine cytomegalovirus infection: correlation with patterns of resistance
Bancroft, G.J.; Shellam, G.R.; Chalmer, J.E.
Journal of Immunology 126(3): 988-994
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1767 PMID: 6257788 Document Number: 172540
Cytotoxic activity attributable to natural killer (NK) cells was augmented in the spleens of mice infected with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV). Stimulation was observed as early as 10 h after virus administration but was dependent upon the dose used, and in particular, the host genotype. Effector cells were capable of killing a range of tumor cell targets as well as normal syngeneic thymocytes, and were induced in nude (nu/nu) and heterozygous (nu/+) mice. A significant correlation existed between resistance to the lethal MCMV infection effects and the NK cell augmentation degree by this virus in 10 of 11 strains examined. Non-H-2 related differences in activity were observed, but a clear association between high NK cell responses and the possession of a particular H-2 haplotype was not apparent. Beige mutant C57BL/6J mice, previously reported as defective in NK cell function were susceptible to MCMV and expressed low cytotoxicity levels during infection. Thus, genetically controlled NK cell stimulation in the early stages of MCMV infection may contribute to the genotype related patterns of resistance seen with this virus.