The nature of the toxic reaction of influenza virus towards lung tissue

Abstract

The inoculation of large doses of unadapted influenza virus intranasally into mice results in the production of severe lung lesions. This toxic effect is a result of the entry of virus particles into the lung cells followed by uncoating of the virus ribonucleic acid. The toxic property of the virus is destroyed by procedures which destroy or niodify the nucleic acid such as exposure to monochromatic UV light of wavelength 2537 Å, or treatment with hydroxylamine or Bayer A139. Reagents acting on amino groups are particularly effective as they react with the nucleic acid and probably also interfere with penetration of virus into the cell. Toxicity is also destroyed by mercurials which probably prevent uncoating of the nucleic acid by union with disulphide bonds, and by oxidizing agents such as iodine, permanganate, osmic acid and hydrogen peroxide under conditions which suggest possible action on some constituent of the virus containing methionine The toxic effect produced by the inoculation of large doses of unadapted virus intranasally in miceis associated with the occurrence of an incomplete growth cycle in which there is full production of RNP antigen but no production of haemagglutinin or infective virus. © 1972, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.