Experimental coronavirus retinopathy (ECOR): Retinal degeneration susceptible mice have an augmented interferon and chemokine (CXCL9, CXCL10) response early after virus infection

• Published in: Journal of neuroimmunology Vol. 193; no. 1; pp. 28 - 37
• Main Authors: Detrick, Barbara, Lee, Maria Teresa, Chin, Marian S, Hooper, Laura C, Chan, Chi-Chao, Hooks, John J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.01.2008
• Subjects: Allergy and Immunology; Animals; Autoimmunity; Chemokine CXCL10 - biosynthesis; Chemokine CXCL10 - blood; Chemokine CXCL10 - genetics; Chemokine CXCL9 - biosynthesis; Chemokine CXCL9 - blood; Chemokine CXCL9 - genetics; Chemokines; Coronavirus; Coronavirus Infections - complications; Coronavirus Infections - immunology; Immunity, Innate; Interferon; Interferons - biosynthesis; Interferons - blood; Interferons - genetics; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Murine hepatitis virus; Neurology; Retinal degeneration; Retinal Degeneration - etiology; Retinal Degeneration - immunology; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - immunology; Autoimmunity; Retinal degeneration; Interferon; Coronavirus; Chemokines
• ISSN: 0165-5728; 1872-8421
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2007.09.032

Abstract Mouse hepatitis virus induces a biphasic disease in BALB/c mice that consists of an acute retinitis followed by progression to a chronic retinal degeneration with autoimmune reactivity. Retinal degeneration resistant CD-1 mice do not develop the late phase. What host factors contribute to the distinct responses to the virus are unknown. Herein, we show that IFN-α, IFN-β and IFN-γ act in concert as part of the innate immune response to the retinal infection. At day 2, high serum levels of IFN-γ, CXCL9 and CXCL10, were detected in BALB/c mice. Moreover, elevated levels of CXCL9 and CXCL10 gene expression were detected in retinal tissue. Although IFN-γ and the chemokines were detected in CD-1 mice, they were at significantly lower levels compared to BALB/c mice. These augmented innate responses observed correlated with the development of autoimmune reactivity and retinal degeneration and thus may contribute to the pathogenic processes.