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Hamster brain tumor cells persistently infected with measles-subacute sclerosing panencephalitis virus
Abstract:
A persistent infection was established in a cell line derived from a hamster brain tumor (HBT) with the HBS strain of measles-subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) virus. The persistently infected cells (HBT-M) were studied with regard to their growth in vitro and their transplantability in vivo. Although the growth of the HBT-M cells paralleled that of the HBT cells in vitro their transplantability was decreased in weanling hamsters. Hydrocortisone treatment of the hamsters abrogated the lowered transplantability restoring the tumor-producing capacity to levels comparable to the HBT cells. The decreased cell growth of the HBT-M cells in vivo was attributed to the acquisition of measles virus (MV) antigens and the host immune response directed against these new antigens.
Insights
Persistent measles virus infection in hamster brain tumor cells reduced tumor growth in vivo. Hydrocortisone treatment restored tumor growth, suggesting an immune response against measles virus antigens contributes to reduced cell transplantability.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Oncology
Background:
- Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a severe neurological complication of measles virus (MV) infection.
- Persistent viral infections can alter host cell behavior and immune responses.
- Hamster brain tumor (HBT) cells provide a model for studying tumor growth and viral interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of persistent measles virus (HBS strain) infection on the growth and transplantability of hamster brain tumor (HBT) cells in vivo.
- To determine the role of the host immune response in the altered behavior of virus-infected tumor cells.
Main Methods:
- Establishment of a persistently infected cell line (HBT-M) from HBT cells and SSPE virus (HBS strain).
- In vitro growth assays comparing HBT-M and HBT cells.
- In vivo transplantability studies of HBT-M and HBT cells in weanling hamsters, with and without hydrocortisone treatment.
Main Results:
- HBT-M cells exhibited similar growth to HBT cells in vitro.
- Transplantability of HBT-M cells was significantly decreased in weanling hamsters compared to HBT cells.
- Hydrocortisone treatment of hamsters restored the tumor-producing capacity of HBT-M cells to levels comparable to HBT cells.
- Decreased in vivo cell growth was attributed to measles virus antigen expression and host immune response.
Conclusions:
- Persistent measles virus infection in hamster brain tumor cells leads to decreased in vivo transplantability.
- The host immune response against acquired measles virus antigens plays a critical role in suppressing tumor growth.
- Modulation of the host immune response, e.g., with hydrocortisone, can overcome viral-induced immunosuppression and restore tumor-forming capacity.