CHANGES IN HEMATOPOIESIS DURING COURSE OF ACUTE LCM VIRUS-INFECTION IN MICE

Abstract

Although severe hematologic and immunologic disorders occur in several viral infections, insight into the mechanisms by which viruses may affect hemopoietic tissues is poor. Demonstration of distinct immunohemopoietic lesions in mice with acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) virus infection led to investigation of the function of hemopoietic precursor cells during this experimental infection. During the 1st wk of infection there was profound suppression of pluripotential stem cell (CFU) and in vitro colony-forming cell (CFC) compartments and 59Fe uptake into hemopoietic tissues. During the same period enhanced activity of colony-stimulating factor, lack of responsiveness to erythropoietin, and appreciable interferon titers in blood and spleen were noted. After day 10 post infection, there was a striking increase in CFU and 59Fe uptake confined to spleen and blood. Restoration of bone marrow was markedly delayed. Interferon may be the comprehensive suppressor of the hemopoietic precursor cells in the 1st stage of acute LCM; these cells in the recovery period may be directed preferentially into erythropoiesis.