Related Experiment Videos
Ecotropic leukemia viruses in congenic C57BL mice: natural dissemination by milk-borne infection
Abstract:
The incidence of infectious murine leukemia virus (MuLV) in congenic-resistant C57BL mice was studied. No constant relationship between the incidence of MuLV and the H-2 complex was apparent. Two lines, B10 and B10.A, were examined in detail because the incidence of MuLV in B10 was low and the virus appeared relatively late in life, whereas B10.A animals had a relatively high incidence of infection by MuLV early in life. Further studies of B10.A mice revealed an almost universal concordance between the virologic status of the mother and her offspring. This was particularly evident when (B10 times B10.A)F1 animals were compared with (B10.A times B10)F1 mice: Although genetically identical, the incidence of MuLV in the latter was high, whereas in the former it was low. Transmission of MuLV by milk was proved by foster-nursing experiments; when the infants of MuLV-positive B10.A mothers were suckled on MuLV-negative B10.A mothers, they were free of MuLV. Milk-borne infection may account for the natural dissemination of MuLV among some inbred lines of mice.
Insights
Murine leukemia virus (MuLV) transmission in mice is primarily milk-borne, not genetically linked to the H-2 complex. Maternal virologic status significantly impacts offspring infection rates, demonstrating vertical transmission.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Murine leukemia virus (MuLV) is an infectious retrovirus affecting mouse models.
- Understanding MuLV transmission is crucial for controlling its spread in laboratory settings.
- Congenic-resistant mouse strains, like C57BL, are often used to study host-pathogen interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of infectious MuLV in congenic-resistant C57BL mice.
- To determine the relationship between MuLV incidence and the H-2 complex.
- To elucidate the transmission routes of MuLV in different mouse strains.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of MuLV incidence in B10 and B10.A mouse lines.
- Examination of the correlation between maternal and offspring virologic status.
- Foster-nursing experiments to assess milk-borne transmission of MuLV.
Main Results:
- No consistent relationship was found between MuLV incidence and the H-2 complex.
- B10.A mice exhibited a higher and earlier incidence of MuLV infection compared to B10 mice.
- Offspring's MuLV status strongly correlated with the mother's status, indicating vertical transmission.
- Foster-nursing experiments confirmed MuLV transmission via milk.
Conclusions:
- MuLV transmission in these mouse models is predominantly milk-borne.
- Maternal virologic status is a critical factor in offspring MuLV infection.
- Vertical, milk-borne transmission explains the natural dissemination of MuLV in certain inbred mouse lines.