Fig 3. No protection from early FV challenge after MCMV.env immunization.

CB6F1 mice were immunized once with MCMV.env, or a non-transgene-encoding control MCMV, and infected with 5 000 SFFU FV three weeks later. Development of splenomegaly was monitored by twice-weekly palpation of the spleens (A). Viremia levels were determined in blood samples collected 10 days after FV infection (B); spleens were isolated three weeks after FV infection and spleen weights (C) and spleen viral loads were analysed (D). Each dot indicates an individual mouse, columns indicate mean (A, C) or median values (B, D), column whiskers indicate the standard error of the means (A), dotted lines indicate the limits of detection. Data were obtained in three independent experiments, using 6 (unvaccinated), 10 (MCMV) or 13 mice (MCMV.env) per group. Data were analysed for statistically significant differences by One Way ANOVA on Ranks with the Dunn’s post test (n.s.: not significant).