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Neoplastic transformation of rabbit cells by murine sarcoma viruses
Abstract:
Neoplastic transformation of rabbit cells by Kirsten murine sarcoma virus (Ki-MSV), the Ki-MSV pseudotype of baboon endogenous virus (Ki-MSV[BaEV]) and the Moloney-MSV pseudotype of feline leukemia virus (M-MSV[FeLV]) is reported. Rabbit cells can be readily transformed by Ki-MSV, Ki-MSV(BaEV) and M-MSV(FeLV). Rabbit cells transformed by Ki-MSV and M-MSV(FeLV) were found to be virus producers, whereas those transformed by Ki-MSV(BaEV) were nonproducers (NP). The NP cells were obtained by simply infection rabbit cells with Ki-MSV(BaEV) and subculturing the infected cells. Although the morphologically altered NP cells did not produce infectious virus or murine leukemia virus antigen, they did contain a rescuable MSV genome. All of the transformed cells formed colonies in soft agar, grew to high saturation densities and produced tumors when transplanted into nude mice. The Ki-MSV and M-MSV(FeLV)-transformed cells produced tumors in newborn WH/J rabbits, thus providing an important tool for studying tumor immunity in the rabbit.
Insights
Rabbit cells are readily transformed by Kirsten murine sarcoma virus (Ki-MSV) and its pseudotypes. Transformed cells, including non-producer cells, form tumors, offering a tool for tumor immunity research.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Murine sarcoma viruses (MSVs) are known to cause neoplastic transformation in various cell types.
- Investigating the transformation potential of different MSV pseudotypes in rabbit cells is crucial for understanding viral oncogenesis.
- The development of virus-producing and non-producing cell lines is essential for studying viral replication and gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neoplastic transformation of rabbit cells by Kirsten murine sarcoma virus (Ki-MSV) and its pseudotypes, Ki-MSV[BaEV] and M-MSV[FeLV].
- To characterize the resulting transformed cells, including their viral production status and tumorigenic potential.
- To establish a rabbit model for studying tumor immunity.
Main Methods:
- Infection of rabbit cells with Ki-MSV, Ki-MSV(BaEV), and M-MSV(FeLV).
- Subculturing of infected cells to obtain transformed cell lines.
- Characterization of transformed cells for virus production, viral antigen expression, and presence of rescuable MSV genome.
- Assays for anchorage-independent growth (soft agar), high saturation density growth, and tumor formation in nude mice and newborn WH/J rabbits.
Main Results:
- Rabbit cells were successfully transformed by Ki-MSV, Ki-MSV(BaEV), and M-MSV(FeLV).
- Cells transformed by Ki-MSV and M-MSV(FeLV) were virus producers, while Ki-MSV(BaEV)-transformed cells were nonproducers (NP) but contained a rescuable MSV genome.
- All transformed cells exhibited neoplastic properties: anchorage-independent growth, high saturation density, and tumor formation in nude mice.
- Ki-MSV and M-MSV(FeLV)-transformed cells produced tumors in newborn WH/J rabbits.
Conclusions:
- Rabbit cells are susceptible to neoplastic transformation by MSV pseudotypes.
- MSV-transformed rabbit cells, including non-producer lines, display hallmarks of cancer and form tumors in vivo.
- The ability of these transformed cells to induce tumors in rabbits provides a valuable model for studying tumor immunity.