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Use of bone marrow fibroblasts to prepare targets for an HLA restricted-cytotoxicity assay system
Abstract:
Methods are described for obtaining and growing fibroblasts from bone marrow for use as virus-infected targets. Fibroblasts obtained at the time of routine marrow examination were maintained through 12 to 18 passages as confluent monolayers. Bone marrow fibroblasts could be infected with varicella-zoster virus, and these infected cells were suitable targets for a 51Cr-release cytotoxicity assay. Since these virus-infected cells retain their HLA-A and -B antigens, they are readily available to study the immune cells which mediate virus-specific cytotoxicity.
Insights
Researchers developed a method to grow bone marrow fibroblasts for use in virus infection studies. These fibroblasts serve as effective targets for studying virus-specific immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Studying virus-specific immune responses requires suitable target cells.
- Bone marrow fibroblasts are a potential cell source for such studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a method for culturing and utilizing bone marrow fibroblasts as virus-infected targets.
- To enable the study of immune cells mediating virus-specific cytotoxicity.
Main Methods:
- Fibroblasts were obtained from bone marrow during routine examinations.
- Cells were maintained in culture for 12-18 passages as confluent monolayers.
- Fibroblasts were infected with varicella-zoster virus and used in 51Cr-release cytotoxicity assays.
Main Results:
- Bone marrow fibroblasts can be successfully cultured and maintained through multiple passages.
- These fibroblasts are susceptible to varicella-zoster virus infection.
- Infected fibroblasts serve as effective targets in cytotoxicity assays.
Conclusions:
- Bone marrow fibroblasts provide a viable and accessible model for studying virus-specific cell-mediated immunity.
- The retention of HLA-A and -B antigens on infected fibroblasts facilitates the study of cytotoxic immune cells.