In vivo induction of apoptosis by influenza virus

Abstract

Intranasal exposure of mice to influenza virus led to cell death in bronchial/bronchiolar epithelial cells, alveolar cells and lymphoid cells. These cells displayed fragmentation of nuclei and chromatin condensation. Nick end-labelling of DNA in situ confirmed that such apoptotic cells had fragmented DNA. These results suggest that the influenza virus induces apoptosis in vivo.