Murine hepatitis virus (MHV) is a group of viruses in the Coronaviridae family that chiefly infects rodents, particularly mice. It is known for causing a variety of diseases in mice, including severe enteritis, hepatitis, encephalomyelitis, and pneumonitis. MHV is extensively used as a model for studying the pathogenesis, immune response, and vaccine development of coronaviruses in humans.
MHV has a single-stranded RNA genome, which encodes for several proteins involved in virus replication and viral pathogenesis. The virus primarily replicates in the respiratory tract of infected rodents, spreading to different organs, such as the liver, spleen, and central nervous system. This results in varying disease manifestations depending on the MHV strain and the host's immune response.
In the laboratory, MHV is commonly used as a tool in scientific research. Its study has contributed significantly to the understanding of various aspects of coronavirus biology, including viral replication and evasion of the host immune system. MHV has helped in identifying targets for potential antiviral therapies and in developing vaccine platforms against coronaviruses, such as the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Overall, Murine hepatitis virus is a valuable experimental model for investigating the complex interactions between coronaviruses and their hosts, aiding in the development of strategies for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of coronavirus-related diseases.
