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Published on: October 7, 2011
Persistent infection and transformation of mouse glial cultures by K virus, a murine papovavirus
Abstract:
Foetal mouse glial cultures were inoculated with murine K papovavirus and subjected to serial subcultivation. Two cell lines were developed. The first of these, KVBCG2A, remained positive for viral infectivity and K virus capsid (V) antigen for over 30 subcultivations. Productive infection was not abolished by serial subcultivation in the presence of antiviral antibody. The second cell line, KVBCG1B, became negative for infectious virus and K virus V antigen, could be cloned from single cells and produced tumours in mice. Sera from tumour-bearing animals produced nuclear fluorescence of KVBCG1B cells and K virus-infected mouse embryo cells but did not react with uninfected mouse embryo cells or with cells infected by polyoma virus. DNA hybridization studies confirmed the presence of K virus DNA in KVBCG1B cells and suggested integration of the viral genome into host chromosomal DNA. K virus produces both persistent infection and cell transformation in glial cultures derived from its natural host.
Insights
Murine K papovavirus establishes persistent infections and causes cell transformation in mouse glial cultures. This study developed two cell lines, one maintaining viral infectivity and the other showing tumor-producing potential.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Murine K papovavirus is a polyomavirus known to infect rodents.
- Understanding viral persistence and oncogenic potential is crucial for disease research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of K papovavirus infection in mouse glial cell cultures.
- To characterize cell lines derived from these cultures for viral persistence and transformation capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Serial subcultivation of infected mouse glial cell cultures.
- Assays for viral infectivity and antigen detection.
- Tumorigenicity studies in mice.
- Immunofluorescence and DNA hybridization techniques.
Main Results:
- Two distinct cell lines were established: KVBCG2A (persistently infected) and KVBCG1B (non-infectious, tumor-forming).
- KVBCG1B cells integrated K virus DNA into host chromosomes and induced tumors in mice.
- Tumor-bearing animal sera showed specific reactivity with K virus-infected cells.
Conclusions:
- K papovavirus can establish persistent infections and induce cell transformation in glial cultures.
- Viral genome integration is implicated in the oncogenic process.
- These findings contribute to understanding K virus pathogenesis and oncogenesis.
