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Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production
08:32

Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production

Published on: March 2, 2014

Pathogenic risk of endogenous retrovirus infection in immunodeficient hosts

Fengmin Zhang1, Rong Da, Wuqi Song

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin 150086, China. fengminzhang@yahoo.com.cn

Virus Research
|January 8, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) can cause leukemia in immunodeficient mice by rearranging the Evi-1 gene. Screening for ERVs is suggested for clinical transplantation and transfusion to prevent host immune-dependent leukemogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are integrated into host genomes and can be transmitted vertically.
  • Certain ERVs, like the N-type ecotropic murine leukemia virus (MuLV) from SL mice, are associated with spontaneous leukemia development.
  • Immunodeficient hosts may be more susceptible to ERV-induced pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the pathogenic risk of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) infection in immunodeficient hosts.
  • To determine if ERV infection can induce leukemia in CBA nude mice.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of ERV-induced leukemogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation of N-type ecotropic MuLV from SL mice.
  • Intraperitoneal inoculation of MuLV into newborn CBA nude mice (homozygous and heterozygous).
  • Monitoring for leukemia development (splenomegaly) and characterization of induced leukemia (B lymphatic, transplantable, Evi-1 locus rearrangement).

Main Results:

  • Leukemia was observed in 33% of homozygous and 17% of heterozygous CBA nude mice post-inoculation.
  • The induced leukemia was identified as B lymphatic, transplantable, and associated with Evi-1 locus rearrangement.
  • Higher leukemia induction and Evi-1 locus rearrangement in CBA nude mice suggest dependence on host immune status.

Conclusions:

  • Endogenous retroviruses can induce host immune-dependent leukemogenesis in immunodeficient hosts.
  • Evi-1 gene rearrangement is a key mechanism in ERV-induced leukemia.
  • Screening for ERVs may be necessary in clinical transplantation or transfusion settings to mitigate risks.

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