Localization by autoradiography of viral proteins in the parenchymal cells of the liver during frog virus 3 induced hepatitis of mice.

Frog virus 3 inoculated into mice induces an acute degenerative hepatitis. This hepatitis is of toxic origin since the virus is unable to multiply at 37 degrees C. The Kupffer cells, which are the target cells for FV3, reveal the presence of viral particles, viral DNA and proteins. Although the hepatocytes present early and drastic nuclear lesions, viral particles were never observed in these cells. Viral proteins however but not DNA, could be found inside parenchymal cells.