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Blast colonies containing hemopoietic progenitor cells can give rise to Abelson virus (A-MuLV)-transformed cell lines
P M Wong1, S W Chung, E Raefsky
1Clinical Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Abstract:
We have established an in vitro system with which to examine the ability of Abelson murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV) to infect early hemopoietic progenitor cells. Blast cell colonies containing less than 100 cells were shown to contain up to 85% of cells with secondary hemopoietic colony-forming ability. Infection of cells from these blast colonies resulted in generation of transformed mast cell lines when a feeder was provided. Morphological examination of cells taken from infected cultures at various times postinfection indicated a progression of cellular differentiation to the mast cell lineage. Southern analysis on early subclones of transformed cells from two wells, using a v-abl specific probe, indicated a unique pattern of viral integration amongst subclones, suggesting that all subclones had derived from a single cell in each well. Similar results were observed with helper-free Abelson virus obtained by transfecting psi 2 cells with P160 A-MuLV proviral DNA. These data indicate that hemopoietic progenitor cells can be infected by A-MuLV and subsequently in our in vitro culture condition give rise to transformed mast cell lines.
Insights
Abelson murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV) can infect early hemopoietic progenitor cells. This infection leads to the development of transformed mast cell lines in vitro, demonstrating A-MuLV
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Understanding the susceptibility of early hemopoietic progenitor cells to viral infection is crucial for hematological research.
- Abelson murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV) is a retrovirus known to cause leukemia in mice, but its specific targets in early hematopoiesis require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish an in vitro system for studying the infection of early hemopoietic progenitor cells by Abelson murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV).
- To investigate the potential of A-MuLV to transform these progenitor cells and induce differentiation into specific cell lineages.
Main Methods:
- Development of an in vitro culture system using blast cell colonies derived from hemopoietic progenitor cells.
- Infection of these cells with A-MuLV.
- Morphological analysis and Southern blot analysis to track viral integration and cellular differentiation.
Main Results:
- Blast cell colonies showed a high percentage (up to 85%) of cells with secondary hemopoietic colony-forming ability.
- Infection with A-MuLV, in the presence of a feeder layer, resulted in the generation of transformed mast cell lines.
- Southern analysis indicated unique viral integration patterns, suggesting clonal origin of transformed subclones.
Conclusions:
- Hemopoietic progenitor cells are susceptible to A-MuLV infection in vitro.
- A-MuLV infection can lead to the differentiation and transformation of hemopoietic progenitor cells into mast cell lines under specific culture conditions.