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RNA oncovirus expression in N-methyl-n-nitrosourea-induced lymphomas in mice

A Pintér, M Börzsönyi

    International Journal of Cancer
    |August 15, 1981
    PubMed

    Insights

    N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) induced thymic lymphomas in mice, activating endogenous ecotropic retroviruses. Spontaneous activation of these viruses also occurred in older, normal mice, suggesting a link to lymphoma development.

    Area of Science:

    • Virology
    • Oncology
    • Immunology

    Background:

    • Thymic lymphomas can be induced by chemical carcinogens like N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU).
    • The role of endogenous retroviruses in chemical carcinogenesis is not fully understood.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate RNA oncovirus expression in MNU-induced thymic lymphomas in mice.
    • To determine if MNU-induced lymphoma development is associated with endogenous ecotropic virus activation.

    Main Methods:

    • Induction of thymic lymphomas in newborn BDF1 mice using MNU.
    • Infectious center assay to detect virus production from thymic cells of tumorous and normal mice.

    Main Results:

    • Five out of 15 MNU-injected mice developed T-cell thymic lymphomas.
    • All five lymphomas released ecotropic (mouse-tropic) virus.
    • No xenotropic or dual-tropic virus was detected.
    • Ecotropic virus was cultured from one older, normal mouse thymus, but not from younger normal mice.

    Conclusions:

    • MNU-induced thymic lymphoma development in BDF1 mice is associated with the activation of endogenous ecotropic retroviruses.
    • Spontaneous activation of ecotropic retroviruses can occur in aging normal mice.

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