Mapping of a quantitative trait locus controlling susceptibility to Coxsackievirus B3-induced viral hepatitis

摘要

The pathogenesis of coxsackieviral infection is a multifactorial process involving host genetics, viral genetics and the environment in which they interact. We have used a mouse model of Coxsackievirus B3 infection to characterize the contribution of host genetics to infection survival and to viral hepatitis. Twenty-five AcB/BcA recombinant congenic mouse strains were screened. One, BcA86, was found to be particularly susceptible to early mortality; 100% of BcA86 mice died by day 6 compared with 0% of B6 mice (P = 0.0012). This increased mortality was accompanied by an increased hepatic necrosis as measured by serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (19547 +/- 10556 vs 769 +/- 109, P = 0.0055). This occurred despite a predominantly resistant (C57BL/6) genetic background. Linkage analysis in a cohort (n = 210) of (BcA86x C56Bl/10)F-2 animals revealed a new locus on chromosome 13 (peak linkage 101.2 Mbp, lod 4.50 and P = 0.003). This locus controlled serum ALT levels as early as 48 h following the infection, and led to an elevated expression of type I interferon. Another locus on chromosome 17 (peak linkage 57.2 Mbp) was significantly linked to heart viral titer (lod 3.4 and P = 0.046). These results provide new evidence for the presence of genetic loci contributing to the susceptibility of mice to viral hepatitis.