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Lymphoma induction by human B cells in scid mice
A Amadori1, M L Veronese, M R Mazza
1Institute of Oncology, University of Padova, Italy.
Leukemia
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can cause lymphoma in immunodeficient mice. T-cells appear crucial for EBV-infected B-cells to grow into tumors, highlighting their role in lymphoma development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Oncology
Background:
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with various human cancers, including lymphomas.
- Severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice are used as a model for studying human diseases due to their lack of functional T and B lymphocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of T lymphocytes in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated lymphoma development in SCID mice.
- To understand the mechanisms by which EBV-infected B-cells proliferate and form tumors in an immunodeficient host.
Main Methods:
- SCID mice were injected intraperitoneally with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from EBV-positive donors.
- Tumor development and presence of EBV genome in tumor cells were monitored.
- Experiments were conducted with and without T lymphocytes in the injected PBMC population.
Main Results:
- Most mice injected with PBMC from EBV-positive donors developed B-cell tumors within four months.
- The EBV genome was detected in the tumor cells of affected mice.
- Elimination of T lymphocytes from the injected cell population completely prevented lymphoma development.
Conclusions:
- T lymphocytes and/or T-cell-derived factors play a critical role in the expansion of EBV-infected B-cells leading to lymphoma in SCID mice.
- This study suggests a mechanism for EBV-driven lymphomagenesis in immunodeficient hosts, emphasizing the interplay between T-cells and B-cells.