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Gradual elimination of retroviruses in YBR/Ei mice
Cameron C MacDearmid1, Laure K Case, Christa L Starling
1The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor Maine 04609, USA.
Abstract:
Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV), a well-characterized retrovirus that causes mammary tumors in susceptible mice, is commonly used to investigate virus-host interactions. We have shown that YBR/Ei mice demonstrate a novel, dominant mechanism of resistance to MMTV infection and MMTV-induced mammary tumors. MMTV can both establish infection in YBR/Ei mice and be transmitted by YBR/Ei mice as an infectious virus. However, virus production is severely attenuated, resulting in gradual clearance of infection in successive generations. Our transfer experiments showed that T cells generated in MMTV-infected resistant mice were required to restrict MMTV replication in susceptible mice. These results emphasize the importance of inducing T-cell responses for effective protection against retroviral infections.
Insights
YBR/Ei mice exhibit a unique resistance to mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) infection and tumors. T-cell responses are crucial for restricting retroviral replication and protecting against MMTV.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is a retrovirus studied for virus-host interactions and mammary tumor induction.
- YBR/Ei mice present a novel, dominant resistance mechanism against MMTV.
- MMTV infection and transmission occur in YBR/Ei mice, but with attenuated virus production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism of MMTV resistance in YBR/Ei mice.
- To understand the role of T cells in controlling MMTV infection.
Main Methods:
- Infection and transmission studies of MMTV in YBR/Ei mice.
- T-cell transfer experiments between resistant and susceptible mice.
- Monitoring of virus production and clearance across generations.
Main Results:
- YBR/Ei mice show severely attenuated MMTV production, leading to gradual infection clearance.
- T cells from MMTV-infected resistant mice are essential for restricting MMTV replication in susceptible mice.
- A dominant resistance mechanism in YBR/Ei mice involves T-cell-mediated control.
Conclusions:
- T-cell responses are critical for effective protection against retroviral infections like MMTV.
- The findings highlight a novel host resistance mechanism involving T-cell immunity.
- Understanding these mechanisms can inform strategies for controlling retroviral diseases.
