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Simian T-cell leukemia virus type I infection in captive baboons
J Moné1, E Whitehead, M Leland
1Department of Virology, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, San Antonio, TX 78228.
AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses
|September 1, 1992
Summary
Simian T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (STLV-I) is prevalent in baboons, particularly older females. This virus is closely related to human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-I) and may cause lymphoma in baboons.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Primate Models
- Oncology
Background:
- Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-I) causes adult T-cell leukemia and neurological diseases.
- Simian T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (STLV-I) is a related retrovirus found in non-human primates, potentially causing neoplastic disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the baboon as a model for HTLV-I infection and associated diseases.
- To determine the seroprevalence and characteristics of STLV-I in a baboon colony.
Main Methods:
- Serological analysis of 329 baboons for STLV-I antibodies.
- Molecular and antigenic analysis of proviral DNA from tumor tissue and cell lines.
- DNA amplification using primer pairs specific to HTLV-I sequences.
Main Results:
- Over 40% seroprevalence of STLV-I in the baboon colony, higher in females and older animals (>80% in those over 16).
- STLV-I in baboons is genetically closely related to HTLV-I, evidenced by DNA sequence analysis.
- Monoclonally integrated provirus detected in lymphoma tissue, implicating STLV-I in malignancy.
Conclusions:
- Baboons naturally infected with STLV-I serve as a valuable model for studying HTLV-I-associated diseases.
- STLV-I is implicated in the etiology of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in this baboon population.
- Further research on naturally infected baboons can elucidate HTLV-I disease mechanisms in humans.