Elucidating the characteristics of Mx1 and resistance to influenza A virus subtype H1N1 in the newly developed KWM/Hym mice
10.1186/s42826-022-00138-z
- Author:
Hajin NAM
1
;
Boyoung KIM
;
Avishekh GAUTAM
;
Yoo Yeon KIM
;
Eun Sun PARK
;
Jong Sun LEE
;
Hyung-Joo KWON
;
Je Kyung SEONG
;
Jun Gyo SUH
Author Information
1. Department of Medical Genetics, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Korea
- Publication Type:RESEARCH
- From:Laboratory Animal Research
2022;38(3):219-225
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Inbred mice have several advantages, including genetic similarity to humans, a well-established gene manipulation system, and strong tolerance to inbreeding. However, inbred mice derived from a limited genetic pool have a small genetic diversity. Thus, the development of new inbred strains from wild mice is needed to overcome this limitation. Hence, in this study, we used a new strain of inbred mice called KWM/Hym. We sequenced the Mx1 gene to elucidate the genetic diversities of KWM/Hym mice and observed the biological alterations of the Mx1 protein upon influenza A infection.
Results:The Mx1 gene in KWM/Hym mice had 2, 4, and 38 nucleotide substitutions compared to those in the Mx1 gene in A2G, CAST/EiJ, and Mus spretus mice, respectively. Moreover, the Mx1 protein in KWM/Hym mice had 2 and 25 amino acid substitutions compared to those in the Mx1 protein in CAST/EiJ and M. spretus mice, respectively. To elucidate the function of the Mx1 protein, we inoculated the influenza A virus (A/WSN/1933) in KWM/Hym mice. Nine days after infection, all infected KWM/Hym mice survived without any weight loss. Four days after infection, the lungs of the infected KWM/Hym mice showed mild alveolitis and loss of bronchiolar epithelium; however, the pulmonary viral titers of the infected KWM/Hym mice were significantly lower than that in the infected BALB/c mice (2.17 × plaqueforming units mL −1 ).
Conclusions:Our results demonstrate that the KWM/Hym mice are resistant to influenza A virus infection. Further, these mice can be used as a model organism to understand the mechanism of influenza A virus susceptibility.
