Yellow Fever Vaccine. V. Antibody Response in Monkeys Inoculated with Graded Doses of the 17D Vaccine

A dosage equal to or greater than approximately 3.4 Dex (decimal exponent, log(10)) weanling mouse intracerebral 50% lethal dose (LD(50)) was sufficient to elicit a yellow fever antibody response, as determined by the plaque neutralization (PN) test, in better than 90% of vaccinated rhesus monkeys. Lower dosages were progressively less effective in terms of PN titers and the PN and hemagglutination-inhibition serological conversion rates observed. A dose of between 3.4 and 4.2 Dex weanling mouse intracerebral LD(50), or one-tenth to one times the dosage recommended for man, provided an optimal antibody response in monkeys. In rhesus monkeys, in contrast to the findings for man, pre-existing yellow fever antibody did not interfere with the antibody response to yellow fever vaccine. The PN test was felt to be a more sensitive and specific indicator of yellow fever antibody in rhesus monkeys after vaccination than the hemagglutination inhibition or complement fixation tests.     

Yellow Fever Vaccine: Direct Challenge of Monkeys Given Graded Doses of 17D Vaccine

In rhesus monkeys a wide dosage range of 17D yellow fever (YF) vaccine extending to a level even below that recommended for vaccination of man elicited an immune response providing solid protection to challenge with virulent YF virus. Forty-three of 45 monkeys vaccinated with 10(2.3) or greater weanling mouse mean lethal doses of 17D vaccine were resistant to challenge 20 weeks later with virulent Asibi strain YF virus. Monkeys given graded doses of lesser amounts of vaccine were progressively more susceptible to challenge. With a vaccine dose >/= 10(2.3) weanling mouse mean lethal doses, plaque neutralization (PN) seroconversion rates were 90% or greater, whereas hemagglutination-inhibiting (HI) and complement-fixing (CF) seroconversion rates were unrelated to vaccine dosage and were generally in the range of 20 to 80%. Ninety-six percent (51 of 54) of immune monkeys had PN titers >/=0.7 log(10) (fivefold) neutralization index as compared to approximately 55 to 65% who showed HI or CF titers >/=2 log(2) (fourfold) neutralization index. After challenge with Asibi strain YF virus, antibody titers of all three tests increaed equally. In rhesus monkeys PN antibody titers were well correlated with YF immunity, whereas HI and CF antibody titers were not.     

An improved method for covalently conjugating morpholino oligomers to antitumor antibodies

Whether for conventional pretargeting, amplification pretargeting, or affinity enhancement pretargeting, it will be necessary to conjugate an antitumor antibody as the first injectate. This laboratory is investigating phosphorodiamidate morpholinos (MORFs) for pretargeting, and accordingly we are examining methods of attaching MORFs to antitumor antibodies that provide at least one group per molecule (gpm) without adversely influencing antibody properties. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the commercial Hydralink for the conjugation of the anti-CEA MN14 antibody with an 18 mer amine-derivatized MORF. The conjugation was approached in both directions by first reacting MN14 with the NHS derivatives of 4-hydrozinonicotinate acetone hydrazone (SANH) or 4-formylbenzoate (SFB) and then combining with MORF that was previously reacted with SFB or SANH to yield MN14(SANH)-MORF and MN14(SFB)-MORF respectively. The storage stability, immunoreactive fraction, and the biodistribution in normal mice were compared for both conjugates. Thereafter, MN14(SANH)-MORF was used in a pretargeting study in tumored nude mice, and the results were compared to that obtained historically with MN14-MORF prepared by carbodiimide (EDC) coupling. Both new methods of conjugation provided between 1 and 2 gpm compared to 0.2 achieved previously by EDC. Furthermore, by repeat SE HPLC with and without CEA, both showed an unimpaired immunoreactive fraction. MN14(SANH)-MORF tolerated long-term storage best. More importantly, when labeled by hybridization with 99mTc-labeled complementary MORF (99mTc-cMORF), the biodistribution of MN14(SANH)-MORF was more favorable than that of MN14(SFB)-MORF in normal mice with lower liver (5.7 vs 9.4 %ID/g at 18 h) and spleen (3.5 vs 8.4 %ID/g) accumulations and higher blood levels (4.8 vs 3.4 %ID/g). Accordingly, only MN14(SANH)-MORF was used in a pretargeting study in tumored mice. When targeted with 99mTc-cMORF and at 2 days postinjection of antibody-MORF, the results obtained with 6 microg of antibody prepared in this way were essentially identical to that obtained previously with 30 microg of antibody prepared via EDC. Hydralink was used successfully to conjugate MORF to MN14 at higher gpm than that achieved earlier and without an obvious compromise of properties. Using MN14(SANH)-MORF, the influence of the higher gpm on pretargeting permitted lowering the dosages of MN14 administered and may permit administering higher levels of radioactivity in connection with therapy.     

TGF-β Neutralization Enhances AngII-Induced Aortic Rupture and Aneurysm in Both Thoracic and Abdominal Regions

AngII and TGF-β interact in development of thoracic and abdominal aortic diseases, although there are many facets of this interaction that have not been clearly defined. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of TGF-β neutralization on AngII induced-aortic pathologies. Male C57BL/6J mice were administered with either a rabbit or mouse TGF-β neutralizing antibody and then infused with AngII. The rabbit TGF-β antibody modestly reduced serum TGF-β concentrations, with no significant enhancements to AngII-induced aneurysm or rupture. Administration of this rabbit TGF-β antibody in mice led to high serum titers against rabbit IgG that may have attenuated the neutralization. In contrast, a mouse TGF-β antibody (1D11) significantly increased rupture in both the ascending and suprarenal aortic regions, but only at doses that markedly decreased serum TGF-β concentrations. High doses of 1D11 antibody significantly increased AngII-induced ascending and suprarenal aortic dilatation. To determine whether TGF-β neutralization had effects in mice previously infused with AngII, the 1D11 antibody was injected into mice that had been infused with AngII for 28 days and were observed during continued infusion for a further 28 days. Despite near ablations of serum TGF-β concentrations, the mouse TGF-β antibody had no effect on aortic rupture or dimensions in either ascending or suprarenal region. These data provide further evidence that AngII-induced aortic rupture is enhanced greatly by TGF-β neutralization when initiated before pathogenesis.     

Diaziquone-induced micronuclei in cytochalasin B-blocked mouse peripheral blood lymphocytes

A mouse peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) micronucleus (MN) test was developed using a modification of the technique for assessing MN in human PBLs described by Fenech and Morley (1985). Male C57Bl/6 mice (5/dose) were injected i.p. with either 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, or 10.0 mg diaziquone (AZQ)/kg. After 24 h the mice were bled by cardiac puncture, PBLs were isolated on a Ficoll-density gradient and then cultured in RPMI 1640 medium using 8 micrograms phytohemagglutinin/ml. In some cultures cytochalasin B (CYB) was added at 21 h during the medium change to block cytokinesis. In other cultures, CYB was omitted to compare the sensitivity of analyzing MN in binucleate versus unblocked mononucleate cells. All doses of AZQ yielded significant increases in MN-containing binucleated PBLs. The use of CYB in the mouse PBL MN test increased the sensitivity approximately 3-fold. The MN test in mouse PBLs should be useful in comparative cytogenetic studies of mice and humans.     

SARS-CoV-2重组S1和S蛋白疫苗诱导保护性免疫的研究*

目的:评价新型冠状病毒(SARS-CoV-2)重组S1蛋白和S蛋白疫苗对SARS-CoV-2的免疫保护效果。方法:将SARS-CoV-2重组S1蛋白和S蛋白分别联合氢氧化铝佐剂以0.1 μg/只、1 μg/只、5 μg/只、10 μg/只不同剂量接种6~8周BALB/c纯系健康雌性小鼠。第二次免疫后采血通过酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测血清中IgG抗体效价,通过假病毒中和试验比较免疫小鼠血清对SARS-CoV-2野生型株(WT)、英国株(B.1.1.7)、巴西株(P.1)、印度株(B.1.617.2)、Mu毒株(B.1.621)和南非株(501Y.V2-1)六种假病毒毒株中和活性效价,取脾细胞通过酶联免疫斑点技术(ELISpot)检测免疫小鼠的细胞免疫水平。结果:SARS-CoV-2重组S和S1蛋白都能诱导小鼠产生较强的IgG抗体水平。免疫S1蛋白的小鼠血清对SARS-CoV-2野生型株、英国株、巴西株有明显的中和活性,免疫S蛋白的小鼠血清除了对SARS-CoV-2野生型株、英国株、巴西株有明显中和活性之外,对印度株也有明显的中和活性,两种蛋白质免疫的小鼠血清均对野生型株中和效果最强。S蛋白免疫的小鼠脾细胞能够显著诱导出γ干扰素(IFN-γ)和白介素-4(IL-4)的产生。S蛋白诱导产生的IgG抗体、中和抗体、细胞免疫水平均高于S1。结论:SARS-CoV-2重组S蛋白疫苗能够诱导产生较强的保护性免疫应答。     

Blood corticosterone concentration reaches critical illness levels early during acute malnutrition in the weanling mouse

Acute (i.e., wasting) pediatric malnutrition consistently elevates blood glucocorticoid levels, but neither the magnitude of the rise in concentration nor its kinetics is clear. Male and female C57BL/6J mice, initially 19 days old, and CBA/J mice, initially 23 days old, consumed a complete purified diet either ad libitum (age-matched control) or in restricted daily quantities (mimicking marasmus), or they consumed a purified isocaloric low-protein diet ad libitum (mimicking incipient kwashiorkor). Serum levels of corticosterone were assessed by double antibody radioimmunoassay after 3, 6, and 14 days (C57BL/6J strain) or after 6 and 14 days in the genetically distant CBA/J strain. Age-matched control groups of both strains exhibited mean corticosterone levels of 5-30 ng/ml, whereas the acutely malnourished groups exhibited mean levels of this hormone that were elevated by more than an order of magnitude as early as 3 days after initiation of weight loss. This outcome was confirmed in a second experiment in which the serum corticosterone level of C57BL/6J weanlings was examined by competitive binding enzyme immunoassay 3 and 14 days after initiation of the dietary protocols. Therefore, deficits of protein and/or energy in weanling murine systems relevant to acute pediatric malnutrition elicit early elevations in blood glucocorticoid levels to a magnitude reminiscent of critical illness and multiple trauma. The key to this novel finding was an exsanguination method that permitted accurate assessment of the blood corticosterone level of the healthy, quiescent mouse. Overall, the results of this investigation provide a new perspective on the glucocorticoids as part of the early hormonal response to acute weanling malnutrition coincident with the shift toward catabolic metabolism and the initiation of depression in cellular immune competence.     

PCNA等5种基因在小鼠睾丸发育过程中的表达

以出生1日、30日和成年昆明小鼠睾丸组织为实验材料,利用地高辛标记的基因探针在组织切片上进行DNA－mRNA分子原位杂交,研究了PCNA、cyclinD1、cdc2、P21和P16基因共5种细胞周期调控基因在小鼠睾丸发育中的表达变化。结果发现：PCNA基因在30日龄和成年鼠睾丸中都有强的表达;而cyclin D1基因只在30日龄的小鼠睾丸组织中有表达;P21、P16和cdc2基因在3个不同的发育阶段都没有表达。这些结果表明：(1)细胞周期调控基因cyclin D1、cdc2、P16和P21与小鼠睾丸发育和精子发生过程的细胞增殖控制关系不大,可能小鼠睾丸和精子发育过程中的细胞增殖调控与其他细胞的增殖调控有不同的机制;(2)cyclin D1基因在小鼠睾丸中的表达模式表明,cyclin D1基因在睾丸发育中有不同于细胞增殖促进的作用;(3)小鼠睾丸发育中,精子发生开始时期可能晚于30日龄。 Abstracts：Using in situ hybridization technique with Dig Labeled DNA probe, we studied the expression of PCNA,cyclin D1, cdc2, P21 and P16 gene in the test of one day old,30 days old and adult Kunming mouse.The results shows that the expression of PCNA gene was strong in the test of 30 days old and adult mouse; cyclin D1 gene only expressed in the test of 30 days old mouse; cdc2,P21 and P16 gene did not express in the test of all three groups of mouse.These results suggest that:(1)cyclin D1,cdc2,P16 and P21 genes are not related to the regulaton of cell cycle during test development and germ genaration, and possibly the machanism of cell cycle regulation during test development and germ genaration is different from other kind of cells;(2)cyclin D1 has other founctions except promoting cell profilation;and (3)the germ genaration during test development may start after 30 days old.     

Ventricular function during exercise in mice and rats

The mouse has many advantages over other experimental models for the molecular investigation of left ventricular (LV) function. Accordingly, there is a keen interest in, as well as an intense need for, a conscious, chronically instrumented, freely moving mouse model for the determination of cardiac function. To address this need, we used a telemetry device for repeated measurements of LV function in conscious mice at rest and during exercise. For reference, we compared the responses in mice to the responses in identically instrumented conscious rats. The transmitter body of the telemetry device (rat PA-C40; mouse PA-C10; Data Sciences International, St. Paul, MN) was placed in the intraperitoneal space through a ventral abdominal approach (rat) or subcutaneously on the left flank (mouse). The pressure sensor, located within the tip of a catheter, was inserted into the left ventricle through an apical stab wound (18 gauge for rat; 21 gauge for mouse) for continuous, nontethered, recordings of pulsatile LV pressure. A minimum of 1 wk was allowed for recovery and for the animals to regain their presurgical weight. During the recovery period, the animals were handled, weighed, and acclimatized to the laboratory, treadmill, and investigators. Subsequently, LV parameters were recorded at rest and during a graded exercise test. The results document, for the first time, serial assessment of ventricular function during exercise in conscious mice and rats. This methodology may be adopted for advancing the concepts and ideas that drive cardiovascular research.     

Alteration of V3 loop context within the envelope of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 enhances neutralization.

Neutralization of a chimeric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1, containing the V3 loop of the MN isolate substituted within the HXB2 envelope, was enhanced up to 20-fold compared with the HXB2 or MN parental isolates by human HIV-positive sera. MN V3 loop-specific monoclonal antibodies were better able to recognize the chimeric virus compared with MN, staining a greater percentage of infected cells and exhibiting slight increases in relative affinity with a concomitant increase in neutralization titer. Competition analysis revealed that enhanced neutralization by human HIV-positive sera of the chimera was attributable in some cases to better reactivity with the linear V3 loop epitope but in others to conformational loop epitopes or previously cryptic or poorly recognized epitopes outside the loop region. Mice primed with a vaccinia virus-chimeric envelope recombinant and boosted with gp160 developed a spectrum of antibodies different from that of mice similarly immunized with HXB2 or MN recombinants or that of naturally infected humans. The chimeric envelope elicited antibodies with enhanced binding to the native MN V3 loop; however, the sites seen by the BALB/c mice were not neutralizing epitopes. Nevertheless, similar to the observations made with use of human sera, the chimeric virus was more readily neutralized by all of the immune mouse sera, an effect apparently mediated by non-V3 loop epitopes. These studies illustrate that not only the V3 loop sequence and conformation but also its context within the viral envelope influence neutralization.     

小鼠呼肠孤病毒Ⅲ型标准化血清制备及ELISA检测方法的建立

目的制备标准化小鼠呼肠孤病毒III型（reovirus 3,Reo-3）免疫血清,建立小鼠Reo-3抗体ELISA检测方法。方法使用动物来源的Reo-3病毒感染BALB/c小鼠,获得高效价免疫血清;以BHK-21细胞制备Reo-3病毒抗原,同时制备做正常对照抗原。滴定抗原和标准化小鼠Reo-3血清的最佳工作浓度,进行特异性、敏感性、重复性、稳定性等实验。结果制备18 mL抗Reo-3血清,经检测,IFA效价达1∶640,IEA效价达1∶160;Reo-3抗原和标准化小鼠Reo-3免疫血清最佳工作浓度分别为5μg/mL和1∶2400;该ELISA检测体系Reo-3特异抗原批内变异系数为3.8%,批间变异系数为4.0%;检测灵敏度〉1∶4400;与仙台病毒（SV）、小鼠肝炎病毒（MHV）、小鼠腺病毒（Mad）、小鼠脑脊髓炎病毒（TMEV）、小鼠多瘤病毒（POLY）均无交叉反应。经37℃破坏性试验,2 d稳定性试验相对偏差〈27%。结论本研究制备的Reo-3抗血清达到同批次大量高滴度的水平,可作为检测实验小鼠Reo-3病原的标准化质控血清。本研究建立的ELISA方法重复性、稳定性好,特异性、敏感性强。该体系可用于大、小鼠等实验动物Reo-3抗体的检测。     

Cytogenetic analysis of mice chronically fed the food mutagen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5b]pyridine

The cytogenetic effects in mice chronically fed the heterocyclic amine 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5b]pyridine (PhIP) were evaluated by chromosome painting, micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes (MN NCEs) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs). PhIP and numerous other heterocyclic amines have been isolated from cooked foods, and many have been found to be carcinogenic in laboratory rodents. Female C57BL/6N mice were chronically fed a diet containing 0, 100, 250 or 400 ppm of PhIP beginning at 8 weeks of age. Peripheral blood and bone marrow were taken from 5 mice per treatment group at 1, 4 and 6 months from the start of exposure. PhIP was removed from the diet for a final month of the experiment, at which time blood was taken from the remaining animals. Chromosome-specific composite DNA probes for mouse chromosomes 2 and 8 were hybridized to metaphase cells from each tissue. The 1- and 4-month time points showed no statistically significant difference between the control and exposed mice for either tissue in chromosome aberration frequencies. Both MN NCEs and SCEs were analyzed at a single time point during exposure (4 months for MN NCEs and 6 months for SCEs) and again 1 month after removing PhIP from the diet. MN NCEs in the peripheral blood showed a statistically significant dose response, with all values decreasing significantly 1 month after removing PhIP from the diet. SCE frequencies in the peripheral blood showed an approximate doubling compared to control mice, and decreased to control levels 1 month after removing PhIP from the diet. SCE frequencies in the bone marrow of exposed mice showed no difference from the control animals. These results show that chronic ingestion of PhIP by female C57BL/6 mice does not produce persistent cytogenetic damage as visualized by chromosome aberrations, MN NCEs or SCEs.     

A semi-quantitative serological method to assess the potency of inactivated rabies vaccine for veterinary use

Potency is one of the most important indexes of inactivated vaccines. A number of methods have been established to assay the potency, of which the NIH test and single-dose mouse protection test are the “prescribed methods”. Here, we report a method to semi-quantitatively assay the potency of an inactivated rabies vaccine, which uses fewer animals and takes less time to complete. Depending on the quality requirements of a vaccine (e.g. minimum potency), a rabies reference vaccine is, for example, diluted to the minimum potency, and 50 μL of the dilution is taken to inoculate 10 mice. The same amount of the test rabies vaccine is inoculated into another 10 mice. After two weeks, all mice are bled and serum samples are assayed for viral neutralizing antibody by the fluorescent antibody virus neutralization (FAVN) test. By comparing the median and interquartile range of antibody titers of the reference vaccine with those of the test vaccine, the test vaccine potency can be semi-quantitatively judged as to whether it is in accord with the required quality. The reliability of this method was also confirmed in dogs. The procedure can be recommended for batch potency testing during inactivated rabies vaccine production.     

Friend Leukemogenic Virus-neutralizing Antibody from Mouse Ascitic Fluid

Ascitic fluid antibody produced in C57/B1 mice immunized with Friend leukemogenic virus exhibited potent neutralizing activity. In vitro neutralization tests revealed that a mean neutralization index of 3.0 was achieved, and it was shown by sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation that this antibody resembled the 7S type. A mean yield of 6.7 ml of fluid per mouse per weekly paracentesis was obtained over an 8-week period. The ascitic fluid antibody to Friend virus was also active in vivo. Mice given antibody 3, 5, 7, and 9 days after infection with Friend virus did not develop the splenomegaly characteristic of Friend disease.     

Induction of chromosomal damage in mammalian cells in vitro and in vivo by sulfapyridine or 5-aminosalicylic acid.

Sulfapyridine (SP) and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) are the two primary metabolites of the anti-inflammatory drug salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP). These two metabolites were studied for induction of chromosomal damage in mammalian cells, in vitro and in vivo, in an attempt to understand better the genetic effects produced by SASP in humans and laboratory mice. To this end, SP and 5-ASA were tested for induction of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) and chromosomal aberrations (Abs) in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in vitro. In addition, they were tested in vivo for induction of micronuclei (MN) in mouse bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE). SP gave positive results in the in vitro SCE test and the in vivo MN test, and negative results in the in vitro Abs test. 5-ASA was negative in all three tests. These results indicate that it is the SP metabolite of SASP that is necessary for the induction of chromosomal damage reported to occur in humans and mice after treatment with SASP.     

Allethrin-induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress in Swiss albino mice

Allethrin (C(19)H(26)O(3)) is non-cyano-containing pyrethroid insecticide that is used extensively for controlling flies and mosquitoes. Apart from its neurotoxic effects in non-target species, allethrin is reported to be mutagenic in bacterial systems. In this study, we observed oxidative damage-mediated genotoxicity caused by allethrin in Swiss albino mice. The genotoxic potential of allethrin was evaluated using chromosome aberrations (CAs) and a micronuclei (MN) induction assay as genetic end-points. The oral intubation of allethrin (25 and 50mg/kg b.wt.) significantly induces CAs and MN in mouse bone marrow cells. The DNA-damaging potential of allethrin was estimated in mouse liver using the DNA alkaline unwinding assay (DAUA) and by measuring the levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxy-guanosine (8-OH-dG). Furthermore, a dose-dependent increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and lipid peroxidation (LPO), with a concurrent decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, confirm its pro-oxidant potential. The DNA-damaging potential of allethrin was found to be mediated through the modulation of p53, p21, GADD45α and MDM-2. These results confirm the genotoxic and the pro-oxidant potential of allethrin in Swiss albino mice.     

Population density and growth rate in laboratory mice

Home Office guidelines recommend an area of 60 cm2 per mouse for growing mice up to 30 g. However, the overall growth rate, and final adrenal weight of weanling BALB/c and MF1 strain mice was not affected by being housed at a density of down to 27 cm2 per mouse, though there was some evidence of strain differences in ability to tolerate such dense housing. The presence of cage accessories had no effect on growth rate of BALB/c and female mice, but reduced growth of MF1 and male mice, though the effect was small. It is concluded that present Home Office guidelines make a generous provision for the space requirements of growing laboratory mice, and that the use of cage accessories of varying design may be worth exploring in more detail.     

Persistent infection with mouse hepatitis virus of low virulence in nude mice.

A persisting type of infection with wasting syndrome was established in congenitally athymic nude mice after intraperitoneal inoculation with a mouse hepatitis virus which was not fully pathogenic for heterozygous haired littermates. From the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and brain of most infected nude mice, the virus was detected at high titers during aperiod from 6 to 35 days postinfection, occurrence of degenerative and necrotic lesions being correlated with virus titers in these organs. The titer of serum neutralizing antibody remained undetectable or very low in most diseases nude mice, whereas some animals resisting the infection could produce antibody at a later stage. In heterozygous haired mice, some lesions were detectable at a very early stage of infection in the spleen and liver, but they seemed to disappear with a marked elevation of the neutralizing antibody titer. Nude mice were able to resist the virus infection when they had previously received transfer of thymocytes from weanling heterozygous littermates.     

Powassan virus infection in snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus)

Sera from snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) trapped near Rochester, Alberta, Canada were tested for Powassan virus antibody by the constant virus/serum dilution neutralization test. Of 1264 serum samples tested, 137 had an antibody titer of at least 1:4 for Powassan virus. Ten hares were inoculated with Powassan virus in the laboratory. Viremia lasted 4-5 days and ceased with the appearance of Powassan antibody in the serum. Neutralizing antibody reached a peak titer of 1:119 on day 15 post-inoculation and was still detectable 13 months post-inoculation.     

Susceptibility of laboratory mice to intranasal and contact infection with coronaviruses of other species

The susceptibility of laboratory mice to intranasal and contact infection with mouse hepatitis virus (MHV)-related coronaviruses was tested in infant CD1 mice. One day old mouse pups were inoculated intranasally with respiratory MHV-S, enteric MHV-Y, rat sialodacryoadenitis virus (SDAV), human coronavirus OC43 (HCV-OC43) or bovine coronavirus (BCV). Twenty-four hours later, they were placed in direct contact with age matched sham inoculated pups. Indices of infection in virus inoculated mice included lesions by histopathology and viral antigen by immunoperoxidase histochemistry in brain, lung, liver and intestine at 3 days after inoculation. Indices of infection in contact mice included mortality or seroconversion by 21 days after exposure. Infant mice were susceptible to infection with all five viruses. Transmission by direct contact exposure occurred with MHV and SDAV, but not HCV or BCV. Furthermore, adult mice were not susceptible to infection with HCV. Tissue distribution of lesions and antigen varied markedly among viruses, indicating that they do not induce the same disease as MHV. This study demonstrates that although these coronaviruses are antigenically closely related, they are biologically different viruses and disease patterns in susceptible infant mice can be used to differentiate viruses.