Key result
Age-related estrogen loss increases CVB3 myocarditis severity in female mice, equalizing damage between sexes.
Why the study?
The influence of sex hormones and age on susceptibility to coxsackie virus group B, type 3 (CVB3) induced myocarditis in Balb/c mice was examined.
Hypothesis-generating for age-related loss of female protection in viral myocarditis; leaves open human translation.
Susceptibility to coxsackie virus group B, type 3 (CVB3) induced myocarditis changes with age. Very young (< 4 weeks) Balb/c mice show minimal cardiac injury after infection, while young adult males (6–12 weeks) develop severe myocarditis. Age-matched females remain largely protected. As the mice continue to age, susceptibility in females gradually increases while that in males decreases, ultimately resulting in equal myocardial damage between the sexes by 40 weeks of age. Enhanced myocarditis in old females correlates withincreased humoral and cellular immunity to the virus and heart antigens and results from decreased oestrogen levels in these animals.
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Lyden et al. (1987) studied Coxsackie virus group B, type 3 (CVB3) induced myocarditis. Age and sex hormone (oestrogen) levels following CVB3 infection vs. Age-matched male vs. female Balb/c mice across age groups (<4, 6-12, and 40 weeks) was evaluated on Myocardial damage / severity of CVB3-induced myocarditis. Decreased oestrogen levels with aging increased CVB3-induced myocarditis in female Balb/c mice, resulting in equal myocardial damage between sexes by 40 weeks vs protection at 6-12 weeks.
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