3'-Azido-3'-deoxythymidine prevents induction of murine acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in C57BL/10 mice infected with LP-BM5 murine leukemia viruses, a possible animal model for antiretroviral drug screening

Adult C57BL/10 mice (H-2b Fv-1b) inoculated with LP-BM5 murine leukemia virus develop a disease which has many features in common with human acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), in particular abnormal lymphoproliferation and severe immunodeficiency. In the present study, we examined the possibility that this murine AIDS (MAIDS) model would be useful for evaluating antiretrovirus drugs in vivo through the use of a well-defined antiretrovirus drug, the reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor (H. Mitsuya, K.J. Weinhold, P.A. Furman, M.H. St. Claire, S. Nusinoff-Lehrman, R.C. Gallo, D. Bolognesi, D.W. Barry, and S. Broder, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:7096-7100, 1985) 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT). We evaluated the effect of AZT treatment on de novo virus infection as well as on the induction of immunodeficiency by various parameters, including RT activity in serum, splenomegaly, proliferative responses against alloantigens and mitogens, soluble-antigen-presenting cell activity, and immunoglobulin G levels in serum. Our results demonstrated that AZT treatment of C57BL/10 mice infected with LP-BM5 murine leukemia virus efficiently prevented the induction of immunodeficiency if started at the time of virus inoculation. Starting AZT treatment 1 week later provided only a partial protective effect. Starting AZT treatment 2 weeks later was associated with suppression of RT activity in serum but no prevention of immunosuppression. This MAIDS model may allow rapid and cost-effective screening for antiretrovirus drugs targeted against retroviral functions shared between human AIDS and MAIDS, such as those encoded by gag, pol, or env.

Comparison of in vitro biological properties and mouse toxicities of three thymidine analogs active against human immunodeficiency virus

Three analogs of thymidine, D4T [2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxythymidine; 1-(2,3-dideoxy-beta-D-glyceropent-2-enofuranosyl)thymine], FddT (3'-fluoro-3'-deoxythymidine), and AZT (3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine), were compared in biological tests designed to assess their potential utility as anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) agents. The in vitro potencies of these compounds against HIV infection in CEM cells were measured, with FddT and AZT being more potent than D4T. The cytotoxicities of D4T, FddT, and AZT for CEM cells were comparable. The triphosphates of these three derivatives inhibited purified HIV reverse transcriptase, and their affinities for this polymerase were found to be 1 or 2 orders of magnitude greater than that for the normal substrate, dTTP. D4T was less toxic than FddT or AZT for cultured human and mouse bone marrow cells (granulocyte-macrophage CFU). The three compounds had similar toxicities for human progenitor erythrocyte burst-forming units. In a 30-day mouse toxicity study, AZT and FddT produced a similar spectrum of hematopoietic toxicities. These toxic effects occurred at much lower doses of FddT than of AZT. At the higher doses of FddT, a significant incidence of lethality occurred. By contrast, D4T was considerably less toxic than both AZT and FddT in this study. The dose-limiting toxicity of D4T in mice was hepatotoxicity. The very different phosphorylation patterns of D4T, its lower toxicity, and its comparable potency relative to FddT and AZT suggest that the potential of D4T as an anti-HIV agent should be further explored.

Observations on blood leucocytes and lymphocyte subsets in sheep infected with bovine leukaemia virus: a progressive study

Haematological parameters and reactivity of lymphocyte antigens to monoclonal antibodies were studied over a 10-month period in sheep experimentally infected with bovine leukaemia virus (BLV). BLV-inoculated animals seroconverted within 1 month and showed a significant lymphocytosis 2-6 weeks after infection. Control animals inoculated with BLV-free lymphocytes showed a stronger and more immediate neutrophil response than those inoculated with BLV-positive lymphocytes. One month after infection, BLV-inoculated sheep showed a relative increase of cells bearing antigens T4, T6, T8 and T19, and 10 months into the trial, MHC II lymphocytes increased, T6 remained elevated, but T4 helper cells were significantly decreased in number. Lymphoma tissue showed the presence of T8 cells, and lymph nodes from seroconverted sheep had areas of concentrated T4 staining cells. These results demonstrate responses in cellular immune mechanisms to infection with BLV.

Further phenotypic characterization of target cells for bovine leukemia virus experimental infection in sheep

To determine the phenotype of target cells for bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection in sheep, we analyzed blood lymphocytes from BLV-infected clinically healthy and leukemic sheep by use of monoclonal antibodies. In clinically healthy and leukemic sheep that were BLV-infected, the blood concentration of T lymphocytes was within normal values, but the number of B lymphocytes was increased in several cases. In addition, the number of blood lymphocytes expressing the BLV antigen correlated well with that of B lymphocytes. Double immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that lymphocytes expressing BLV antigens bore B-cell but not T-cell surface markers. Moreover, neoplastic cells in the lymph nodes of leukemic sheep were stained immunohistochemically with an anti-B monoclonal antibody but not with any of anti-T monoclonal antibody tested, indicating that tumor cells are of B-lymphocyte origin. Collectively, these results show that BLV antigen-positive cells obtained from BLV-infected sheep that have no clinical signs and BLV-induced lymphosarcoma cells belong to the B-lymphocyte lineage.

Normal and leukemic lymphocyte membrane fluidity and response to stimulation with ConA and PHA

In our experiment, lymphocyte membrane was labeled by DPH fluorescence probe. The rate of rotation of the probe can be measured from the value of fluorescence polarization (PDPH). With this method useful information could be provided about membrane fluidity of lymphocytes. It was found that the F value (unit of lipid fluidity of membrane) of leukemic lymphocytes was obviously higher than that of normal ones. Furthermore, the F value of cultured leukemic Ts lymphocytes was the highest. In contrast with normal spleen T-lymphocytes or mixed lymphocytes, the response of malignant lymphocytes to the stimulation with ConA or PHA was reflected in the decrease of PDPH value or the increase of F value. Unexpectedly, the F value of T-lymphocytes from "615" mouse not injected with tumour cells was also higher than that of the mixed. The possibility of using the membrane fluidity as a diagnostic criterion was also discussed.

Pathological findings of two types of lymphoid malignancy in sheep inoculated with bovine leukemia virus

Different types of lymphoid malignancy were observed in two sheep inoculated with BLV-containing materials. Sheep 1 showed severe leukemic change in the peripheral blood and splenomegaly but lymphosarcoma in the lymph nodes was absent. Sheep 2 had lymphosarcoma in the lymph nodes and various organs. Neoplastic cells had B-cell marker in both cases and a few neoplastic cells contained intracytoplasmic IgM in sheep 2. It was presumed that B-cells might be transformed into neoplastic cells on the way of their differentiation. Some of neoplastic cells might have ability of immunoglobulin-production in sheep 2.

Hematologic effects of short-term oral diethylcarbamazine treatment given to chronically feline leukemia virus-infected cats

Diethylcarbamazine (N,N-diethyl-4-methyl-1-piperazine carboxamide [DEC]) is widely used, especially in tropical regions, to prevent and treat filariasis. The antifilarial effect of this drug has been attributed to immunomodulation. Evidence is accumulating to indicate that DEC may mitigate the course of feline leukemia virus infection (FeLV) in cats. Previous studies have suggested that continuous oral DEC treatment given shortly after evidence of FeLV infection prevents or delays lymphopenia and prolongs survival. The present study focuses on the hematologic effects of one month oral DEC treatment given to adult chronically FeLV-infected cats and uninfected cats as compared to untreated FeLV-infected cats. Such treatment frequently resulted in abruptly lowered peripheral lymphocyte counts in chronically FeLV-infected cats. Further studies are warranted to evaluate whether administration of DEC could eliminate circulating retroviral-infected cells.

Nitrous oxide selectively reduces the proliferation of the malignant cells in experimental rat leukemia

A considerable reduction of hepatosplenomegaly and leucocytosis in leukemic rats of the Brown Norway Myeloid Leukemia (BNML) can be achieved by exposure to 50% nitrous oxide/50% oxygen. In this study the differential antiproliferative effect of nitrous oxide, inactivating vitamin B12, on normal and leukemic hemopoiesis was investigated in this rat model. Rats injected with leukemic cells and exposed to nitrous oxide for 10 days showed 30% reduction of hepatosplenomegaly and 50% reduction of leukocytosis. Similarly treated healthy rats showed no signs of impaired hemopoiesis as measured by peripheral blood parameters. Clonogenic assays of erythroid and myeloid progenitors from both healthy and leukemic rats revealed that exposure to nitrous oxide did not suppress normal bone marrow functioning. On the contrary, the reduction of leukemic proliferation by nitrous oxide retarded the leukemic infiltration of the bone marrow compartment.

Lymphocyte subpopulations in sheep during the early stage of experimental infection with bovine leukaemia virus

Sheep were experimentally infected with bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) by the inoculation of PBL from leukaemic sheep. Antibodies to viral structural proteins were detected at from 2 to 6 weeks after inoculation. At seroconversion, all sheep had a marked increase in the number of circulating lymphocytes, due essentially to an increase in the number of B cells. The number of circulating B cells then decreased but remained higher than pre-infection levels. A second increase in this population preceded the development of a B cell lymphoblastic leukaemia. Generalized lymphosarcoma was diagnosed at necropsy of all sheep. Variation between individual sheep in the time from infection to the development of tumours allowed two clearly delineated groups of nine sheep to be compared. A study of changes in the B cell and T cell populations during the first 16 weeks of infection suggested that the initial response to infection influences the subsequent rate of leukaemogenesis. At seroconversion the number of circulating B cells was significantly higher in group 1 (10.16 +/- 1.51 X 10(9)/l) than in group 2 (6.47 +/- 2.76 X 10(9)/l). Group 1 sheep became leukaemic at 20-50 weeks after infection, whereas group 2 sheep did not do so until 70-95 weeks after infection.

[Study of the DNA structure of peripheral blood leukocytes, proliferating lymphoid and tumor cells according to the rate of alkaline denaturation of DNA lysates]

Direct fluorometry was used to identify quantitative differences in the DNA structure of human peripheral blood leukocytes and proliferating lymphoid cells. The differences should be taken into account in the study of varied damaging actions.

Characteristics of lymphocytes appearing in persistent lymphocytosis induced experimentally in cattle by bovine leukemia virus infection

Properties of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) appearing during persistent lymphocytosis (PL) of cattle that was induced by inoculation of a large number of bovine leukemia virus (BLV)-infected lymphocytes were studied. The PBL possessed surface immunoglobulin at a high ratio and had high syncytium-forming activity. The PBL could not be distinguished from normal PBL cytogenetically. These PBL were shown to be polyclonal cells integrating BLV-proviral DNA randomly into their cellular DNA. These properties were similar to those of PBL appearing at the stage of PL of cattle naturally infected with BLV. The BLV-proviral DNA content of PBL and transcription of viral genes increased in parallel with development of PL and decreased along with a decline of PL indicating the possibility that gene expression and activation of BLV play an important role in induction and maintenance of PL.

Development and serial passage of persistent lymphocytosis associated with bovine leukemia virus infection in cattle

Two calves each were inoculated with 1.5 x 10(8) or 5 x 10(9) lymphocytes collected from each one cow which had persistent lymphocytosis (PL) and antibodies to bovine leukemia virus (BLV). A sudden increase in the number of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) was observed 14 and 23 days, respectively, after inoculation and the maximum number reached 29,000 and 52,000/microliters 72 and 57 days after inoculation. Although the degree of PL decreased gradually in these cattle, it continued until 14 and 44 months after inoculation when one animal was sacrificed and the other died of lymphosarcoma. The PL was passaged in cattle by inoculation of a large number of PBL obtained from cattle at the stage of PL (PLL). The degree of PL was severer in cattle inoculated with a larger number of PLL. PL was not caused by inoculation of PBL obtained from either BLV-infected non-PL cattle or cattle free of BLV. The PL was also caused by inoculation of PLL into BLV-infected non-PL cattle. On the other hand, it was not observed after inoculation of a large amount of cell-free virus obtained from short-term cultures of PLL. Antibodies to BLV developed earlier and to higher levels in cattle inoculated with PLL than in those inoculated with cell-free virus. These facts show that infection with BLV was established more effectively by PLL than by cell-free virus, the infection may occur by lymphocyte to lymphocyte interaction and the actual number of infected BLV may have an important role in development of PL.

In vivo inhibition of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) expression

Bovine leukemia virus-infected sheep were demonstrated to possess a plasma factor that specifically suppresses in vitro virus expression in lymphocyte cultures. This blocking activity is observed even after phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation and is independent of cellular proliferation. Such a factor may play a critical role in the regulation of BLV expression.

In vitro erythrocytopathic activity of an aplastic anemia-inducing feline retrovirus

Although feline leukemia viruses (FeLV) cause a spectrum of proliferative and anti-proliferative diseases in vivo, in vitro studies demonstrating cell lineage-specific pathogenic properties of feline retroviruses have been rare. We describe here an efficient in vitro system that demonstrates the selective cytopathic effect of a molecularly cloned anemogenic FeLV (FeLV-Sarma-subgroup C; FSC) on erythroid progenitor cells. Forty-eight-hour coculture of normal feline bone marrow mononuclear cells with an underlayer of FSC-infected feline fibroblasts (FeF) resulted in infection of 60% to 90% of marrow mononuclear cells and pronounced depletion of early erythroid progenitor cells (BFUe). The dramatic depletion of BFUe was specific for FSC and did not occur in marrow cells infected with a molecularly cloned nonanemogenic subgroup A FeLV (FeLV 1161E; F6A). The ablation of BFUe by FSC in vitro paralleled both the decrease in BFUe and the induction of aplastic anemia in vivo. This combination of marrow cell infection by coculture and colony-forming unit (CFU) assessment by methylcellulose assay provides a reliable in vitro technique for studies of mechanisms involved in retrovirus-induced marrow aplasias.

Purification of erythroid progenitor cells and characterization of erythropoietin receptors

Highly purified murine and human erythroid progenitor cells at the colony-forming unit-erythroid (CFU-E) stage of development were prepared and recombinant human erythropoietin (rEp) was radioiodinated with retention of full biological activity. Specific binding of 125I-rEp to the murine cells revealed 950 receptors on the cell surface. Three hundred had a Kd of 0.09 nM while the remaining receptors had a Kd of 0.57 nM. The human erythroid progenitor cells also had two classes of receptors with a similar number per cell and similar distribution. The high affinity receptors had a Kd of 0.15 nM while the remaining receptors had a Kd of 0.37 nM. 125I-rEp was rapidly internalized into the cells at 37 C and metabolized to iodotyrosine. When cross-linking of 125I-rEp to the murine erythroid progenitor cells was performed with disuccinimidyl suberate, two labelled bands of 100 and 85 kDa were demonstrated. The radioactivity of both bands was reduced when binding was performed in the presence of excessive unlabelled rEp indicating a specific interaction of 125I-rEp with the receptor.

Serum amino acid levels in leukemic mice after L-asparaginase treatment

A rapid, reproducible HPLC method based on dansyl chloride derivatization has been developed for the determination of L-asparagine, L-aspartate, L-glutamine, and L-glutamate in mouse and human serum samples. This improved procedure has been designed for automation with an autoinjector system. Studies with mice bearing the sensitive and the asparaginase-resistant L5178Y leukemia show that this analytical method can be employed to monitor the effect of L-asparaginase on serum levels of these four amino acids. The method can be used to monitor serum amino acid levels in patients undergoing therapy with L-asparaginase.

Formation of factor-independent hematopoietic multilineage colonies after Abelson virus infection

Yolk-sac-derived hematopoietic cells were infected with a helper-free stock of Abelson virus (A-MuLV). After infection, cells were plated in a clonogenic methylcellulose culture in the absence of exogenous growth factors such as interleukin 3 (IL 3) and erythropoietin (Epo). No colonies were observed in cultures without viral infection, whereas factor-independent colonies were consistently observed with virus-infected cultures. The number of colonies was linearly correlated with the number of cells plated. Erythroid-mix colonies consisting mostly of erythroblasts, macrophages, and mast cells could be observed. Tumorigenic, continuously growing mast cell lines could be generated at high frequency from these erythroid-mix colonies after they were initially passaged in the presence of an irradiated feeder layer for 4 to 8 weeks. Southern blot analysis of the DNA from five of these lines examined were all shown to contain integrated A-MuLV proviral DNA. These data are evidence that A-MuLV can directly infect embryonic multipotent hematopoietic progenitor cells and drive them to differentiate to various progeny cells without exogenous growth factors.

The E mu-myc transgenic mouse. A model for high-incidence spontaneous lymphoma and leukemia of early B cells

Mice transgenic for a c-myc gene driven by the IgH enhancer (E mu-myc) were shown to almost invariably develop lymphomas, 90% succumbing in the first 5 mo of life. The tumors typically presented as rapidly progressive lymphadenopathy with thymic involvement and were highly malignant by transplantation assay. Morphologically, they were lymphoblastic lymphomas, usually accompanied by lymphoid leukemia and granulocytosis, and were distinct from the tumors that arose much later in 37% of nontransgenic mice of the same (C57BL/6 x SJL)F2 genetic background. Cell-surface markers on 31 E mu-myc tumors identified 52% as pre-B lymphomas, 29% as mixed pre-B and B lymphomas, and 19% as B lymphomas. The tumors appeared to arise at random from a population of pre-B cells expanded by constitutive expression of the myc transgene. A majority of the animals initiated malignancy at the rate of 17% per week. The rate at which the cycling, benign pre-B cells spontaneously convert to malignancy was estimated to about 10(-10) per cell per generation. A transient leukocytosis identified in young E mu-myc mice was developed into a rapid assay for inheritance of the transgene.

Effect of sustained hypertransfusion on Rauscher leukemia virus-variant A (RLV-A) infection in BALB/c mice

Infection of BALB/c mice with the RLV-A virus normally induces an erythropoietic dysplasia characterized by hepatosplenomegaly, erythroblastosis, erythroblastemia and severe anemia without reticulocytosis. Time to death varies between 20-30 weeks. Mice were inoculated with RLV-A after being hypertransfused with 75% packed red cells for 42 days which has been shown to eliminate erythropoiesis and modify the microenvironment to favor granulopoiesis. Following RLV-A inoculation, one group did not receive further transfusion (short-term) and another group continued with hypertransfusion weekly (long-term). The pathogenesis of RLV-A in the short-term group paralleled the characteristic RLV-A response. In the long-term group however, the characteristic RLV-A response was never observed. Instead, a granulocytic leukemia was developed. Continued hypertransfusion presumably after establishment of an altered microenvironment resulted in a completely different viral pathogenesis and the development of a transplantable myeloid leukemia.

In Vitro and in Vivo Studies of Poly-L-Lysine as Inducer of Friend Leukemic Cells Differentiation

Poly-L-lysine, a synthetic cationic polypeptide known for its ability to bind to cell membranes, was found to induce differentiation of Friend leukemia cells « in vitro ». Studies were extended to the same « in vivo » model, in order to examine the therapeutic potential of this new differentiating agent. The i.p. administration of the polymer (Mw 2700) at the maximal tolerated dose resulted in major alterations of disease-related parameters. In particular, a multiple treatment schedule on the advanced disease resulted in a successful reduction of target organ weight and peripheral white blood cell count and appreciable differentiation of spleen and bone marrow cells. Apparently, the effects of poly-L-lysine were superior to those produced by N-methyl-acetamide, a potent inducer of differentiation « in vitro ».

Calcium-independent phosphoinositide breakdown in rat basophilic leukemia cells. Evidence for an early rise in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate which precedes the rise in other inositol phosphates and in cytoplasmic calcium

Aggregation of the receptor with high affinity for immunoglobulin E (IgE) in rat basophilic leukemia cells leads to a calcium-dependent and a calcium-independent hydrolysis of phosphoinositides. The increase in the levels of inositol phosphates induced in the absence of calcium is only 25% of that observed with 1 mM Ca2+. The inositol phosphates reach a new steady state level 2 min after stimulation in EGTA, whereas with calcium they continue to increase up to 15 min. A similar response is observed when the receptors are aggregated due to the interaction of bound IgE with antigen or with anit-IgE, or by the binding of IgE cross-linked chemically. The antigen-mediated response is inhibited by hapten and disruption of such antigen-antibody aggregates late after stimulation leads to a rapid decline in the levels of the inositol phosphates to basal values. Separation of the inositol phosphates by Dowex columns shows that there is a fast rise in inositol trisphosphate which peaks at 15 s and slowly declines to a lower plateau within 2 min. Analysis by high pressure liquid chromatography reveals a 5-fold increase in the levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in less than 10 s after stimulation, which precedes any major change in the other inositol phosphates. Aggregation of the receptor in the absence of external calcium induces a transient increase in cytoplasmic calcium which reaches a maximum of approximately 25 nM over basal levels after activation. The onset of the rise in Ca2+ lags after the initial rise in the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate.

The kinetics of phosphoinositide hydrolysis in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells varies with the type of IgE receptor cross-linking agent used

We have re-examined, by high pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) procedures, the hydrolysis of 3H-labeled inositol phospholipids in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. Previous studies showed no clear correlation between the release of any particular inositol metabolite and the calcium signal in these cells. Paradoxically no responses were observed when the cells were stimulated with the antigen, aggregated ovalbumin, in the absence of external Ca2+. We report here that in the absence of external Ca2+ aggregation of the IgE receptor by agents other than aggregated ovalbumin causes the release of small amounts of [3H]inositol phosphates and a small increase in levels of cytosol Ca2+ (approximately 25 nM). The response, however, varied with the type of stimulant used. Within seconds after addition of 24 mol of dinitrophenol conjugated with 1 mol of bovine serum albumin to cells primed with dinitrophenol-specific IgE there was a small burst in release of [3H]inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate, [3H]inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, and [3H]inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate which was followed by a gradual rise in inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate, inositol bisphosphate, and inositol monophosphate. Eventually, all inositol phosphates reached different steady state levels which were maintained for at least 40 min. In contrast, the initial response to oligomeric IgE, which aggregates receptors at a relatively slow rate, was muted although the subsequent development of the response was the same. The levels of inositol pentakisphosphate and hexakisphosphate remained unchanged. These and other studies with cell extracts support the conclusion that inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, a putative messenger for release of intracellular Ca2+, was converted to inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate and thence to inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate. Both trisphosphate metabolites were dephosphorylated in sequential fashion by phosphatase enzymes in the cytosolic and membrane fractions. However, the appearance of several isomers of inositol monophosphates and bisphosphates suggested that degradation proceeded through multiple pathways in the intact cell.