We have previously reported that lung cellular bioenergetics (cellular respiration and ATP) increased in 4-10 week-old BALB/c mice infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This study examined the kinetics and changes in cellular bioenergetics in ≤ 2-week-old C57BL/6 mice following RSV infection. Mice (5-14 days old) were inoculated intranasally with RSV and the lungs were examined on days 1-10 post-infection. Histopathology and electron microscopy revealed preserved pneumocyte architectures and organelles. Increased lung cellular bioenergetics was noted from days 1-10 post-infection. Cellular GSH remained unchanged. These results indicate that the increased lung cellular respiration (measured by mitochondrial O2 consumption) and ATP following RSV infection is independent of either age or genetic background of the host.
Keywords: C57BL/6; Cellular ATP; Cellular respiration; Mice; Mitochondria; Neonates; Oxygen consumption; Respiratory syncytial virus.
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