Early Target Cells of Measles Virus after Aerosol Infection of Non-Human Primates

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1001263
• Publication Date: 2011-01-27T21:46:12Z
• Authors: Ken Lemon; Rory D. de Vries; Annelies W. Mesman; Stephen McQuaid; Geert van Amerongen; Selma Yüksel; Martin Ludlow; Linda J. Rennick; Thijs Kuiken; Bertus K. Rima; Teunis B. H. Geij...; Albert D. M. E. O...; W. Paul Duprex; Rik L. de Swart
• Keywords: Respiratory tract

Measles virus (MV) is highly infectious, and has long been thought to enter the host by infecting epithelial cells of respiratory tract. However, do not express signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (CD150), which high-affinity cellular receptor for wild-type MV strains. We have generated a new recombinant strain expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), based on genotype B3 isolate from Khartoum, Sudan (KS). Cynomolgus macaques were infected with high dose rMVKSEGFP aerosol inhalation ensure that could reach full range potential target throughout entire Animals euthanized 2, 3, 4 or 5 days post-infection (d.p.i., n = 3 per time point) (EGFP+) identified at all four points, albeit low levels 2 d.p.i. At these earliest MV-infected exclusively detected in lungs fluorescence microscopy, histopathology and/or isolation broncho-alveolar lavage cells. On d.p.i., EGFP+ phenotypically typed as large mononuclear present alveolar lumen lining epithelium. One two later, larger clusters bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) tracheo-bronchial lymph nodes. From onward, peripheral blood various tissues. In spite possibility aerosolized infect tissues upper tract, either tonsils adenoids until after onset viremia. These data strongly suggest our model entered level macrophages dendritic cells, traffic BALT regional nodes, resulting local amplification subsequent systemic dissemination