Figure 5
WNV-specific ASC persist in brains for at least 16 wpi in WNV-inoculated mice. Adult, female B6 mice were inoculated SC with diluent (mock) or 103 PFU of WNV in the left rear footpad. At various times post-inoculation, two mock-inoculated and four WNV-inoculated mice were sacrificed and perfused with perfusion buffer. Brain and splenic mononuclear cells were collected, and ELISPOT assays for ASC were performed using WNV and irrelevant antigens. The numbers of IgM ASC in the (A) spleen and (B) brain and the numbers of IgG ASC in the (C) spleen and (D) brain are reported. Each data point represents a single mouse, and solid horizontal lines represent the means. Open symbols indicate mice that displayed signs of clinical disease during the acute illness. Data points on the x-axis are negative. Data are from one to two independent studies. Results from mock-inoculated mice were negative and are not shown.