Early Cytokine mRNA Expression Profiles Predict Morbillivirus Disease Outcome in Ferrets

摘要: Severe immunosuppression is a hallmark of Morbillivirus infections. To study the underlying mechanisms, we have developed ferret model canine distemper virus infection. The reproduces all clinical signs measles, but lack ferret-specific reagents has limited characterization cellular immune response. Towards this, cloned cytokines and established semi-quantitative real-time PCR assays. demonstrate utility these assays compared cytokine profiles elicited by lethal non-lethal strains during prodromal phase. We observed general induction in animals that later succumbed to disease, whereas survivors mounted robust sustained newly strengthen expand not only for pathogenesis studies also several other human respiratory viruses including influenza SARS.