Control of virus reactivation arrests pulmonary herpesvirus-induced fibrosis in IFN-gamma receptor-deficient mice.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive fibrotic lung disorder of unknown cause. Several studies suggest an association between Epstein-Barr virus pulmonary infection and the development of IPF.

Objectives

To determine whether reduction of gamma-herpesvirus reactivation from latency would alter progressive lung fibrogenesis in an animal model of virus-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Methods

IFN-gamma receptor-deficient (IFN-gammaR(-/-)) mice infected intranasally with murine gamma-herpesvirus 68 (MHV68) develop lung fibrosis that progresses for up to at least 180 days after initial infection. Viral replication during the chronic phase of infection was controlled by two methods: the administration of cidofovir, an antiviral drug effective at

SUBMITTER: Mora AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1899276 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature