Biochemical changes induced by Coxsackie B4 virus in short-term culture of mouse pancreatic islets

Isolated mouse pancreatic islets were infected in vitro with two strains of Coxsackie B4 virus--a tissue culture-adapted strain and a mouse pancreas-adapted strain. Within 48 h of infection changes had occurred in the biochemical activities of islets infected with the mouse pancreas-adapted strain of virus. Basal insulin release was increased two-fold in these islets, while glucose-induced insulin secretion remained unchanged. Insulin biosynthesis was greatly reduced at a stimulatory concentration of glucose (20 mM), thus leading to a reduced insulin content in these islets. These effects are of importance because they demonstrate that certain strains of Coxsackie B4 virus, like encephalomyocarditis virus, may selectively alter beta-cell function in vitro.