| First Author | Peacock JW | Year | 2001 |
| Journal | Immunology | Volume | 104 |
| Issue | 1 | Pages | 109-17 |
| PubMed ID | 11576228 | Mgi Jnum | J:71566 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:2150436 | Doi | 10.1046/j.0019-2805.2001.01286.x |
| Citation | Peacock JW, et al. (2001) Murine gammaherpesvirus-68-induced interleukin-10 increases viral burden, but limits virus-induced splenomegaly and leukocytosis. Immunology 104(1):109-17 |
| abstractText | Based on its genomic sequence and its pathogenesis, murine gammaherpesvirus-68 (gammaHV-68) has been established as a tractable model for the study of viral infections caused by the human gammaherpesviruses, Epstein-Barr virus or human herpesvirus-8. Despite significant advances, the mechanisms responsible for gammaHV-68-induced alterations in the protective host response, and the accompanying virus-induced leukocytosis, are not clear. In the present study, we questioned whether viral infection resulted in endogenous interleukin-10 (IL-10) production that might alter the host response. Infection of C57BL/6 mice resulted in increased IL-10 expression, demonstrating that gammaHV-68 could induce endogenous production of this cytokine. Infected C57BL/6 mice demonstrated the characteristic splenomegaly associated with this viral infection, however, we were surprised to discover that the splenomegaly was greater in syngeneic mice genetically deficient in IL-10 (IL-10-/-). These results strongly suggested that endogenously produced IL-10 might serve to limit leukocytosis in wild-type mice. Quantification of viral burden demonstrated a significant elevation in C57BL/6 versus IL-10-/- mice, with increases in virus being observed in both the macrophage and B-lymphocyte populations. The decreased viral load in syngeneic IL-10-/- mice correlated with an increased expression of endogenous IL-12, suggesting a mechanism of protection that was IL-12 dependent. Taken together, these studies demonstrate a surprising dichotomy for endogenous IL-10 production during gammaHV-68 infection. While the lack of IL-10 results in increased IL-12 expression and a lower viral burden, IL-10-/- mice also experience an increased leukocytosis. |
