Science, Vol 218, Issue 4577, 1125-1127
Copyright © 1982 by American Association for the Advancement of Science
Virus-induced alterations in homeostasis: alteration in differentiated functions of infected cells in vivo
MB Oldstone,
YN Sinha,
P Blount,
A Tishon,
M Rodriguez,
R von Wedel,
and
PW Lampert
The noncytopathic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus displays a tropism for the anterior lobe of the murine pituitary gland. Virus replicates in cells that make growth hormone. This results in a diminished synthesis of growth hormone with a concomitant clinical picture of retarded growth and hypoglycemia. However, there is no morphologic evidence of either cell necrosis or inflammation in the anterior lobe of the pituitary. Hence, during infection in vivo, a noncytopathic virus may turn off the "differentiation" or "luxury" function of a cell while not killing that cell (loss of vital function). This is turn can disrupt homeostasis and cause disease. This model illustrates a novel way whereby viruses may cause disease.
