Natural killer cells attenuate cytomegalovirus-induced hearing loss in mice

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006599
• Publication Date: 2017-08-31T17:45:45Z
• Authors: Ali A. Almishaal; Pranav D. Mathur; Elaine Hillas; Liting Chen; Anne Zhang; Jun Yang; Yong Wang; Wayne M. Yokoyama; Matthew A. Firpo; Albert H. Park
• Keywords: Cytomegalovirus

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common non-hereditary cause of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) yet mechanisms remain obscure. Natural Killer (NK) cells play a critical role in regulating murine CMV via NK cell recognition Ly49H surface receptor viral-encoded m157 ligand expressed at infected surface. This receptor/m157 interaction has been found to mediate host resistance spleen, and lung, but much less effective liver, so it not known if this important context SNHL. Using model for CMV-induced labyrinthitis, we have demonstrated that Ly49H/m157 mediates temporal bone. BALB/c mice, which lack functional Ly49H, inoculated with mCMV post-natal day 3 developed profound significant outer hair by 28 days life. In contrast, C57BL/6 competent interaction, had minimal attenuated same dose. Administration blocking antibody or inoculation viral strain deleted gene rendered previously resistant mouse susceptible similar extent as indicating direct mCMV-dependent loss. Additionally, recruitment sites was evident bone strains. These results demonstrate participation protection from labyrinthitis SNHL mice.