MECHANISMS OF C-TYPE VIRAL LEUKEMOGENESIS .1. CORRELATION OF INVITRO LYMPHOCYTE BLASTOGENESIS TO VIREMIA AND LEUKEMIA

Abstract

Various inbred strains of mice respond immunologically to genetically transmitted ecotropic C-type viruses. Part of this response is T [thymus-derived] cell blastogenesis with type specificity for the viral envelope glycoprotein gp71. Of those nonviremic, nonleukemic strains and F1 crosses examined, in which virus expression occurs early in life, gp71-specific blastogenic T cells were detected within the first 2 mo. of age and temporally preceded the development of a humoral immune response. In the viremic, highly leukemic strain of AKR mice, gp71-specific T cell blastogenesis in vitro was readily detectable throughout the preleukemic phase, the first 5 mo. of age. In appropriate F1 crosses and backcrosses, the persistent in vitro blastogenic response segregated with viremia and leukemia. In vivo T cell stimulation by endogenous viral gp71, caused by viremia, may contribute to virus-induced leukemogenesis in mice.