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Deformed whiskers in mice infected with certain exogenous murine leukemia viruses

W P Rowe

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |August 5, 1983
    PubMed

    Insights

    Murine leukemia viruses can cause abnormal hair growth in mice, leading to changes in vibrissae (whiskers). Newly identified recombinant viruses appear to be involved in the development of these abnormalities.

    Area of Science:

    • Virology
    • Immunology
    • Genetics

    Background:

    • Murine leukemia viruses (MLVs) are known to cause various diseases in mice.
    • Abnormalities in vibrissae (whiskers) have been observed in some MLV-infected mice.
    • The underlying mechanisms of these abnormalities are not fully understood.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the relationship between specific MLV strains and the development of vibrissae abnormalities.
    • To identify the viral or host factors contributing to these deformities.
    • To explore the role of recombinant viruses in the pathogenesis of vibrissae abnormalities.

    Main Methods:

    • Infection of newborn mice with different strains of MLVs.
    • Observation and documentation of vibrissae morphology.
    • Analysis of viral replication and genetic characteristics.
    • Investigation of potential extramedullary hematopoiesis in the perivibrissal sinus.

    Main Results:

    • Infection with specific MLVs (Friend, Moloney, CasBr-M, C2S-M, 1504-A) resulted in vibrissae abnormalities including curvature, shortening, and loss.
    • Other MLV strains, including endogenous AKR-type ecotropic and AKR-type mink cell focus-inducing (MCF) viruses, did not cause these defects.
    • Extramedullary hematopoiesis in the perivibrissal sinus of leukemic mice was not the cause of the deformities.
    • Genetic analysis suggested that newly arisen MCF-type recombinant viruses are implicated in the pathogenesis.

    Conclusions:

    • Certain replication-competent MLVs induce distinct vibrissae abnormalities in mice.
    • The development of these abnormalities is strain-specific and not linked to extramedullary hematopoiesis.
    • MCF-type recombinant viruses play a role in the pathogenesis of MLV-induced vibrissae deformities.

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