PR8 influenza virus infection impairs serum thymic activity levels and thymus-derived immune functions in mice
Del Gobbo, V.; Caliò-Villani, N.; Garaci, E.; Caliò, R.
Bollettino dell'Istituto Sieroterapico Milanese 64(3): 207-215
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-2547 PMID: 2864045 Document Number: 243533
The levels of serum thymic activity (STA), the Thy-1.2 positivity of spleen "spontaneous" rosette-forming cells (SSRFCs) (measured in terms of Az sensitivity), as well as the blastogenic response to specific mitogens for T-lymphocytes, were studied in Balb/C mice after intranasal infection with A/PR/8/34 (HON1) influenza virus. As early as 12 hours, and more drastically, 24 hours the levels of STA were profoundly decreased after virus infection. Spleen Az sensitivity and blastogenic response of thymocytes and splenocytes to stimulation with Concanavalin A and Phytohemagglutinin, respectively, were depressed only later (day 2 or 3). These changes remain evident for about 1 week and later revert to normal values. All of the effects described are dose-dependent and appear to be virus related. Thence the PR8 virus infection initially induces a decrease of STA levels and secondly a impairment of thymus-derived immune functions.