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Infectious transmission of human T‐cell leukemia virus to rabbits
Author(s) -
Miyoshi I.,
Yoshimoto S.,
Kubonishi I.,
Fujishita M.,
Ohtsuki Y.,
Yamashita M.,
Yamato K.,
Hirose S.,
Taguchi H.,
Niiya K.,
Kobayashi M.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.2910350113
Subject(s) - seroconversion , virology , virus , biology , leukemia , cell culture , antibody , immunology , antigen , human t lymphotropic virus 1 , cell , medicine , t cell leukemia , genetics
A rabbit lymphoid cell line (Ra‐I) was established by co‐cultivation with a human T‐cell line (MT‐2) carrying human T‐cell leukemia virus (HTLV). The Ra‐l cell line is chromosomally male and is persistently infected with HTLV. Ra‐l cells, with or without mitomycin‐C treatment, were inoculated intravenously (i. v.) into 3 female rabbits. All 3 animals responded with the production of antibodies to HTLV antigens. Lymphocytes from one of these seroconverters were cultured in the presence of T‐cell growth factor (TCGF) and HTLV particles were detected in the TCGF‐grown lymphocytes which were chromosomally female. Co‐cultivation of lymphocytes from the 2 other seroconverters with lymphocytes from 2 anti‐HTLV‐negative healthy men gave rise to the establishment of an HTLV‐producing T‐cell line derived from each individual. Blood transfusion from one of the HTLV‐infected rabbits into 2 female rabbits also resulted in the seroconversion of both recipients. An HTLV‐carrying lymphoid cell line (Ra‐2) was established from one of the transfusion‐related seroconverters. The Ra‐2 cell line was initially TCGF‐dependent but later became TCGF‐independent. These results indicate that HTLV can be transmitted to rabbits. These animals may provide a suitable model system for studying the mode of transmission and pathogenicity of HTLV.