The role of the immune response in MULV-induced lymphomagenesis

Although the exact mechanisms of murine leukemia virus (MuLV)-induced lymphomagenesis have yet to be elucidated, it is clear that the immune reponse to viral proteins plays a critical role in this disease process. The parameters for lymphomagenesis are governed by an inverse relationship between viral persistence and immune responsiveness. MuLV have evolved ways to avoid immune detection either by altering their own genome or by altering the host environment. In addition, the intrathymic replication of MuLV during thymocyte maturation and immune selection plays an important role in T cell repertoire development and immune inhibition. These viruses have served as a highly effective experimental model in understanding the many pathways by which MuLV have overcome immune detection and thereby led to lymphomagenesis.