A Mouse Model of Chronic West Nile Virus Disease

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005996
• Publication Date: 2016-11-02T13:37:32Z
• Authors: Jessica B. Graham; Jessica L. Swarts; Courtney Wilkins; Sunil Thomas; Richard Green; Aimee Sekine; Kathleen M. Voss; Renee C. Ireton; Michael Mooney; Gabrielle Choonoo; Darla R. Miller; Piper M. Treuting; Fernando Pardo Ma...; Martin T. Ferris; Shannon McWeeney; Michael Gale; Jennifer M. Lund
• Keywords: Chronic infection

Infection with West Nile virus (WNV) leads to a range of disease outcomes, including chronic infection, though lack robust mouse model WNV infection has precluded identification the immune events contributing persistent infection. Using Collaborative Cross, population recombinant inbred strains high levels standing genetic variation, we have identified disease, persistence viral loads within brain. Compared lines exhibiting no or marked F1 cross CC(032x013)F1 displays strong immunoregulatory signature upon that correlates restraint WNV-directed cytolytic response. We hypothesize this regulatory T cell response sufficiently restrains such can be maintained in CNS. Use new neuroinvasive will critical developing improved strategies prevent prolonged humans.