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Role of mink cell focus-inducing virus in leukemias induced by Friend ecotropic virus
Abstract:
Recombinant viruses have been implicated in the pathogenesis of murine leukemias induced by a variety of long-latency retroviruses. Neonatal mice of several strains were inoculated with Friend ecotropic virus (F-Eco) and analyzed for the presence of mink cell focus-inducing (MCF) virus or DNA restriction enzyme fragments which were specific for Friend MCF virus (F-MCF). MCF virus was detected within 2 weeks of inoculation in NFS /N mice and at about 2 months after inoculation in BALB/c mice. Both of these strains developed erythroblastosis after inoculation with F-Eco. In contrast, MCF virus was not detected in F-Eco-inoculated C57BL mice. These mice were resistant to erythroblastosis but developed lymphoma or myelogenous leukemia or both at about 5 months after inoculation. Thus, although MCF viruses were associated with F-Eco erythroblastosis in NFS /N and BALB/c mice, they were not necessary for F-Eco-induced lymphoid or myeloid leukemias in C57BL mice. To investigate the association between resistance to erythroblastosis and absence of MCF virus, C57BL mice were inoculated with pseudotypic mixtures of F-Eco plus F-MCF; MCF virus replicated well in these mice, but the mice remained resistant to erythroblastosis. Furthermore, in genetic crosses between C57BL and NFS /N or BALB/c, some mice inherited resistance to F-Eco erythroblastosis without inheriting the C57BL resistance to the generation of MCF viruses. These results indicate that C57BL mice carry a gene for resistance to F-Eco erythroblastosis which is distinct from the C57BL genes which interfere with the generation of MCF viruses.
Insights
Friend ecotropic virus (F-Eco) causes leukemia in mice. Mink cell focus-inducing (MCF) viruses are linked to erythroblastosis but not all leukemias, indicating distinct genetic resistance mechanisms in mice.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Recombinant viruses, specifically mink cell focus-inducing (MCF) viruses, are implicated in the pathogenesis of murine leukemias.
- Friend ecotropic virus (F-Eco) is a long-latency retrovirus known to induce various leukemias in mice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of MCF viruses in F-Eco-induced leukemias in different mouse strains.
- To determine the genetic basis for resistance to F-Eco-induced erythroblastosis and its relationship with MCF virus generation.
Main Methods:
- Neonatal mice of various strains (NFS/N, BALB/c, C57BL) were inoculated with F-Eco.
- Analysis for the presence of MCF virus and specific DNA restriction enzyme fragments.
- Experimental inoculation of C57BL mice with F-Eco plus F-MCF mixtures.
- Genetic crosses between susceptible and resistant mouse strains.
Main Results:
- MCF virus was detected in NFS/N and BALB/c mice that developed erythroblastosis.
- MCF virus was not detected in C57BL mice, which were resistant to erythroblastosis but developed other leukemias.
- C57BL mice inoculated with F-Eco and F-MCF remained resistant to erythroblastosis.
- Genetic analysis revealed a distinct gene in C57BL mice conferring resistance to erythroblastosis, separate from genes affecting MCF virus generation.
Conclusions:
- MCF viruses are associated with F-Eco-induced erythroblastosis but are not essential for all F-Eco-induced leukemias.
- C57BL mice possess a specific gene conferring resistance to F-Eco erythroblastosis, independent of their resistance to MCF virus generation.
- Murine leukemia pathogenesis involves complex interactions between viral factors and host genetic resistance mechanisms.
