Cytomegalovirus infection of adipose tissues induces steatitis in adult mice.

ABSTRACT

Young adult mice infected with MCMV were shown to develop inflammatory lesions in the peripancreatic and salivary gland adipose tissues. MCMV replication was detected by immunoperoxidase staining and electron microscopy in adipocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells and pericytes in brown and white adipose tissues. More infected cells were detected in C3H mice than in BALB/c, BALB.B, BALB.K or C57BL/6 mice. Peripancreatic steatitis consisted of a monocytic infiltrate surrounding focal necrosis of adipocytes, the severity of which was influenced by the route of inoculation, virus dose, and genetic susceptibility to disseminated MCMV-disease. C57BL/6 mice showed the greatest susceptibility with severe coalescing focal inflammation around areas of coagulative necrosis. Salivary gland adipose tissues exhibited lymphocytic steatitis, which was reduced in Nu/Nu mice.