Illumination of Parainfluenza Virus Infection and Transmission in Living Animals Reveals a Tissue-Specific Dichotomy

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002134
• Publication Date: 2011-07-07T20:50:40Z
• Authors: Crystal W. Burke; John N. Mason; Sherri L. Surman; Bart G. Jones; Emilie Dalloneau; Julia L. Hurwitz; Charles J. Russell
• Keywords: Sendai virus; Respiratory tract; Pneumovirinae; Bioluminescence imaging; Human Parainfluenza Virus

The parainfluenza viruses (PIVs) are highly contagious respiratory paramyxoviruses and a leading cause of lower tract (LRT) disease. Since no vaccines or antivirals exist, non-pharmaceutical interventions the only means control for these pathogens. Here we used bioluminescence imaging to visualize spatial temporal progression murine PIV1 (Sendai virus) infection in living mice after intranasal inoculation exposure by contact. A non-attenuated luciferase reporter virus (rSeV-luc(M-F*)) that expressed high levels yet was phenotypically similar wild-type Sendai vitro vivo generated allow visualization. After direct inoculation, unexpectedly observed upper (URT) trachea supported robust under conditions result little pathology lungs including low inoculum virus, an attenuated strains genetically resistant lung infection. permissivity URT resulted 100% transmission naïve contact recipients, even low-dose (70 PFU) BALB/c donor mice. timing consistent with viral titers animals but independent donors. data therefore reveals disconnect between transmissibility, which is associated URT, pathogenesis, arises from immune response. Natural universally limited lungs, inducing protective immunity without weight loss susceptible 129/SvJ Overall, results reveal dichotomy PIV versus define new model studies development live vaccines, testing antiviral therapies.