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Viral and cellular surface antigens of murine leukemias and myelomas. Serological analysis by immunoelectron
Abstract:
IMMUNOELECTRON MICROSCOPY (IEM) OF MOUSE CELLS WHICH WERE PRODUCTIVELY INFECTED WITH MURINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS (MULV) YIELDED THE FOLLOWING CONCLUSIONS: See PDF for Structure With two exceptions, the alloantigens H-2, theta, Ly-A, and Ly-B were not present on complete or incomplete virions produced by cells bearing these antigens.The exceptions were H-2(k) (but not H-2(b)) and theta both appeared on only a minority of virions and never on more than a small part of the circumference. The incidental discovery of an additional envelope antigen on virions produced by a BALB/c mouse myeloma but lacking from passage A Gross virions distinguishes these two viruses as MuLV subtypes; it also illustrates that IEM can be applied as a primary tool for antigenic analysis, as well as for its usual purpose of finding out where antigens are situated.
Insights
Immuno-electron microscopy revealed that most murine leukemia virus (MuLV) virions lack cell surface alloantigens. Exceptions included H-2(k) and theta antigens on a minority of virions, aiding MuLV subtype differentiation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Murine leukemia virus (MuLV) infects mouse cells.
- Cell surface alloantigens play roles in immune recognition.
- Understanding viral-host interactions is crucial in virology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of specific alloantigens on MuLV virions.
- To differentiate MuLV subtypes using antigenic analysis.
- To demonstrate the utility of immuno-electron microscopy (IEM) for viral antigen characterization.
Main Methods:
- Productively infected mouse cells with MuLV were analyzed.
- Immuno-electron microscopy (IEM) was employed.
- Antigenic analysis of virions was performed using specific antibodies.
Main Results:
- Most MuLV virions lacked H-2, theta, Ly-A, and Ly-B alloantigens.
- H-2(k) and theta antigens were found on a small subset of virions.
- A novel envelope antigen distinguished MuLV subtypes (BALB/c myeloma vs. passage A Gross).
Conclusions:
- Alloantigen expression on MuLV virions is generally absent or limited.
- IEM is a valuable tool for identifying viral antigens and distinguishing MuLV subtypes.
- Specific viral envelope antigens can differentiate MuLV strains.