Molecular studies of T-lymphocytes from cattle infected with bovine leukemia virus

Although bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is mainly associated with infections of B-lymphocytes, we have previously reported the statistically significant increase in the T-lymphocytes obtained from BLV-infected asymptomatic aleukemic (AL) cattle. In this report the presence of BLV provirus in the DNA of immunoaffinity purified T-lymphocytes from AL animals was assessed using a highly specific radiolabelled (32P) BLV-DNA provirus probe and solid phase DNA hybridization. The BLV provirus was found in the DNA of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of all AL animals tested and three of the four purified T-lymphocyte preparations from these animals. The purified T-lymphocyte preparations used in this study contained less than 4% detectable B-lymphocytes. One animal had no detectable B-lymphocytes in the purified T-lymphocyte preparation and the DNA from these cells also gave positive hybridization results. The lymphocyte blastogenesis assay was then used as an indicator of the functional ability of lymphocytes from these BLV-infected AL cattle to respond to mitogenic stimuli. The responsiveness of lymphocytes from these animals to the mitogens concanavalin A (Con A), phytohemagglutinin (PHA), and pokeweek mitogen (PWM) was comparable to that of lymphocytes from BLV-negative animals when changes in 3H-thymidine uptake (c.p.m.) were used as measurement of mitogenic-induced blastogenesis. This indicated that infection of the T-lymphocytes by BLV does not appear to alter the overall response of the lymphocyte populations to mitogenic stimuli. High levels of spontaneous blastogenesis in the absence of mitogenic stimulation were observed for lymphocyte preparations of AL animals. The reason for this proliferation of lymphocytes is unclear; however, sera from these AL animals were found to contain a blastogenesis-augmenting factor(s) when added to lymphocytes from BLV-negative control animals in the presence of Con A, PHA and PWM.

Bovine leucosis virus contamination of a vaccine produced in vivo against bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis

Contamination of a batch of tick fever (babesiosis and anaplasmosis) vaccine with bovine leucosis virus (BLV) was detected when a herd, in the final stages of an enzootic bovine leucosis (EBL) accreditation program, developed a large number of seropositive cattle following use of tick fever vaccine. Investigations incriminated a single calf used to produce Anaplasma centrale vaccine from which 13,959 doses were distributed. The failure of this calf to give a positive agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test before use was not fully explained. A total of 22,627 cattle from 111 herds receiving contaminated vaccine was tested to validate claims for compensation. Results showed infection rates of 62% and 51.8% in vaccinated dairy and beef cattle, respectively, compared with 6.1% and 1.5% in non-vaccinated cattle in the same herds. The results also indicated that infection did not spread from vaccinated to non-vaccinated in-contact cattle. Heavy reliance is now placed on purchase of calves for vaccine production from EBL accredited-free herds and on transmission tests from the calves to sheep to prevent a recurrence of contamination. The need for a BLV antigen detection test, with the sensitivity of the sheep transmission test but simpler and faster to perform, is evident.

Association between BoLA and subclinical bovine leukemia virus infection in a herd of Holstein-Friesian cows

The role of the bovine major histocompatibility system (BoLA) in subclinical bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection was investigated in a herd of Holstein-Friesian cows (n = 240). The BoLA W8.1 allele was negatively associated with the presence of antibodies to the major BLV envelope glycoprotein, BLV-gp51 (corrected P less than 0.001, relative risk = 0.31). These results suggest that a BoLA-linked gene(s) may influence the early spread of BLV infection. Since B cells are the primary target of BLV infection, we then determined the relationship between BoLA-A locus phenotypes and B-cell numbers in peripheral blood of seropositive and seronegative cows. There were no significant differences between BoLA-A alleles for any hematological parameter in seronegative cows. Seropositive cows with the W12.1 allele had significantly greater absolute numbers of lymphocytes per microliter and B cells per microliter than did seropositive cows with other BoLA-A phenotypes (P less than 0.01, respectively). The average effect associated with the W12.1 allele in BLV-infected cows was an increase of 2010 B cells per microliter of whole blood relative to BLV-infected cows with other BoLA-A phenotypes. These results demonstrate that susceptibility to the polyclonal expansion of BLV-infected B lymphocytes is associated with the W12.1 allele in Holstein-Friesian cattle. Compared with results of a previous study in a herd of Shorthorn cattle, it appears that resistance and susceptibility to subclinical progression of BLV infection are associated with different BoLA-A locus alleles in different cattle breeds.

Alterations in humoral immune response to bovine leukaemia virus antigens in cattle with lymphoma

Sera collected from cattle with enzootic bovine lymphoma (EBL) were compared to sera from clinically normal bovine leukaemia virus (BLV)-infected cattle for immunoglobulin concentration and for antibodies detecting BLV proteins tested using three different viral isolates. Monoclonal antibodies to bovine immunoglobulin isotypes were used in Western blot analysis to identify isotype reactivity to specific viral antigens. IgG titres to BLV were determined by ELISA. Serum immunoglobulin (G1, G2 and M) concentrations were assessed by radial immunodiffusion. Although EBL was associated with reduced total immunoglobulin production, sera from cattle with EBL had significantly (P less than 0.001) higher specific IgG titres and produced antibodies against a greater and more varied number of BLV proteins than did sera from clinically normal BLV-infected cattle. Variations were consistent within groups of cattle and did not depend on the viral isolate used.

[Detection of the provirus of the bovine leukemia virus in bovine peripheral blood leukocytes by means of DNA hybridization]

The method allowing the detection of BLV proviral DNA in the peripheral blood leukocytes of cattle is reported. Cell DNA from leukocytes used without preliminary cultivation was dot-hydridized with 32P-labeled plasmid that included a fragment of BLV proviral DNA. In parallel, sera from the cattle under study were tested by immunodiffusion assay (ID). The results indicate that dot-hybridization assay is more sensitive as a diagnostic test than ID because it detects BLV infection in apparently normal cattle which was seronegative by ID.

Integration of bovine leukaemia virus in the ovine genome

Circulating lymphocytes and tumour cells from 12 sheep experimentally infected with bovine leukaemia virus (BLV), for periods of time varying from 9 to 48 weeks, were analysed for evidence of integrated and unintegrated provirus. Hybridization analysis demonstrated that the provirus was integrated at one or two sites in all cases. Integration was observed at different sites in the animals studied and there was no evidence of unintegrated virus molecules in infected sheep lymphocytes or tumour cells. The data obtained support a monoclonal origin of different tumours in the same sheep.

In vitro viral expression as a criterion for development of control procedures for enzootic bovine leukosis

In a university beef herd of 304 cattle in which six died of lymphosarcoma between 1980 and 1984, 77% of the Angus and 26% of the Charolais cattle were determined to be infected with bovine leukemia virus (BLV). Changes in iatrogenic procedures were initiated as early control measures. In vitro viral expression (VE) was used as a criterion to identify cattle for subsequent segregation or culling. This involved determinations of percentages of BLV-associated lymphocyte profiles among thin-sectioned Ficoll-Paque-isolated blood lymphocytes that were processed into plastic after culture for 48 h. Cattle retained until completion of nutritional studies or as breeding stock were separated into two groups. The BLV-seronegative cattle, BLV-seropositive cattle with 0% VE, and BLV-seropositive cattle with 1% to 4% VE were placed in group 1. Seropositive cattle with greater than or equal to 5% VE were placed in group 2. In 1985, evaluation of in vitro VE in 108 mature BLV-seropositive cattle retained for breeding revealed 36 (33%) had no observable VE. In 1986, 58 of 108 cattle were available to be reexamined, and 21 (36%) had 0% VE in both years. The VE expression values for individual cattle were generally comparable over the 2-year period. Of 48 initial seronegative breeding stock housed in group 1 with BLV-seropositive cattle with low or no VE, 21 (44%) seroconverted during 1985 to 1986. A positive correlation of 0.585 was found between VE and age-related absolute lymphocyte number.

[Detection of enzootic bovine leukemia virus using the syncytium test]

BLV detection by the syncytial test was performed in 27 heifers experimentally and naturally infected by the enzootic bovine leukosis virus (BLV). The presence of BLV was demonstrated in 94.7% of the animals. The bovine foetal spleen cells (FBS) were found to be suitable for the syncytial test. Positive animals not reacting to infection by the production of anti-BLV antibodies were identified during the syncytial-test investigation. The importance of this finding for the programme of controlling enzootic bovine leukosis on farms is discussed. As suggested by the results, temporary occurrence of anti-BLV antibodies followed by their disappearance can be observed together with a negative result of the syncytial test in some circumstances. The discussion deals with the problems of the determination of anti-BLV antibodies in milk, and/or milk secretion, by the ELISA method.

No involvement of bovine leukemia virus in sporadic bovine lymphosarcoma

Using various portions of a molecularly cloned bovine leukemia virus (BLV) DNA as probes, the possible integration of a BLV genome or a BLV-related sequence into the chromosomal DNA of sporadic bovine leukosis (SBL) tumor cells was investigated by Southern blotting analysis. Under stringent as well as nonstringent conditions of hybridization, neither BLV nor BLV-related sequence specific to SBL DNAs was detected in any SBL tumor examined. These results provide conclusive evidence for lack of the relation of BLV or a BLV-related agent to SBL.

[Demonstration of the expression of bovine leukemogenic virus (BLV) in sheep lymphocytes by an immunofluorescence technic using monoclonal antibodies]

An indirect immunofluorescence (IF) test was developed to detect bovine leukemia virus (BLV) antigen expression in infected sheep lymphocytes, using monoclonal antibodies anti BLV-major envelope glycoprotein gp51. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were cultivated for 48 h in presence of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) (50 micrograms/ml), and then fixed with acetone. The cells were assayed for the IF test. All experimentally infected sheep were positive with this test.

[Behavior of Mycoplasma in a continuous cell culture of embryonic sheep kidney producing the bovine leukemia virus]

Mycoplasma sp. previously isolated from sheep embryo kidney cells producing bovine leukemia virus (FLK-BLV) was serologically identified in the growth inhibition test as M. arginini. SDS-PAGE of cellular proteins demonstrated their identity in M. sp. and M. arginini. Upon artificial inoculation of FLK cells, M. arginini persisted in the cells for a long time and was detectable in high titres by all the methods used. Other species of mycoplasma were isolated from the cells by microbiological method but were detectable by other methods in first passages only. The phenomenon of "disappearance" of mycoplasma was not associated with the toxic effect on them of the ingredients used in cell propagation and of cell metabolism products. It is assumed that sheep embryo cells, M. arginini, and bovine leukemia virus is a fortunate biological model of natural infection.

A prospective investigation of bovine leukemia virus infection in young dairy cattle, using survival methods

The authors studied bovine leukemia virus infection in cattle born between July 1, 1979, and June 30, 1981, and followed up to 27 months in the University of Florida Dairy Research Unit herd, a 200-cow milking herd. Cattle were tested monthly for antibodies to the virus by agar-gel immunodiffusion with the glycoprotein-51 antigen. Of 473 live calves entering the study at birth, 54 became infected during the course of the study. Rates of detection of bovine leukemia virus infection were examined using survival methods. Plotted cumulative hazard rates revealed a nonlogarithmic survivorship function and three age-specific detection phases. These phases were 0-6 months, 7-16 months, and 17-26 months of age with estimated incidence rates of 5.25, 2.14, and 14.37 new detections per 10,000 cattle-days at risk, respectively. Significant differences were found between incidence rates of the first and second phase (p = 0.0168) and between those of the second and third phase (p less than 0.0001); corresponding relative risks were 0.41 and 6.71, respectively. The reduced incidence rate of the second phase coincided with movement of calves from a crowded calf barn to pastures. The increased incidence rate of the third phase coincided with mixing of bred heifers with bovine leukemia virus-infected dry cows. Increased incidence rates did not coincide with common-needle vaccination or artificial insemination. Evidence was not found for milk-borne infection. Age-specific detection rates were not associated with dam parity (p = 0.93), dam age (p = 0.79), breed (p = 0.60), or consumption of colostrum from cows infected with the virus (p = 0.23). However, detection rates were lower in cattle born to bovine leukemia virus-infected cows than in those born to noninfected cows (p = 0.03).

Reverse transcriptase activity in a case of ovine lymphoblastic leukaemia

Tissues taken post mortem from a sheep suffering from lymphoblastic leukaemia were examined for retroviral reverse transcriptase (RT) activity and for particles of retroviral density. Cultured bone marrow and lymph node cells were found to release into the medium particles of 1.16 and 1.21 g/ml density, and poly rC-oligo dG templated activity could be detected in cell-free supernatants. Tissues from two normal sheep were not found to exhibit these characteristics. Electron microscopic observation failed to reveal any retrovirus-like particles in the RT positive tissues. In vitro transmission studies indicated that the RT activity could not be transmitted to either sheep choroid plexus or lamb trachea cells, but was transmitted, at low efficiency, to both bovine kidney and mink lung cells.

Detection of bovine leukosis virus in bronchoalveolar lung washings and nasal secretions

Cattle and sheep persistently infected with bovine leukosis virus (BLV) were studied for the presence of the virus in bronchoalveolar lung washings and nasal secretions. The virus was demonstrated in the cellular fraction of the lung washings in six out of nine cattle and in one out of six sheep. In no instance was bovine leukosis isolated from the cell-free bronchoalveolar lung washings. The virus was isolated from the nasal secretion of only one of six naturally infected milking cows despite frequent sampling; the virus-infected nasal secretion was from a sick 10-year-old cow. Bovine leukosis virus was not isolated from cellular fractions of nasal secretions.

Role of the spleen in the pathogenesis of experimentally induced bovine leukemia virus infection

In an extension of a previous pathogenesis study, bone marrow and other tissues from four experimentally inoculated cattle were tested for virus between the 13th and 20th days after experimental inoculation with bovine leukemia virus. BLV was detected in the blood of three, spleen of two, lymph node of two and bone marrow of only one of the inoculated cattle. In additional studies, four splenectomized and two intact control calves were also examined. Two of these calves were splenectomized before BLV inoculation and two after a persistent virus infection had been established. Results indicated that the removal of the spleen affected neither the establishment and persistence of virus infection nor the development and maintenance of serological responses to viral antigens.

An investigation into the susceptibility of cattle to bovine leukosis virus following inoculation by various routes

The effect of different routes of inoculation on the incubation period, as indicated by the detection of antibody and by the detection of bovine leukosis virus (BLV) in lymphocytes, were compared. None of the 12-month-old steers exposed to BLV by the oral route developed BLV infection. Intratracheal, subcutaneous and intradermal inoculations were found to be particularly effective in establishing BLV infection, which was detected three to four weeks after inoculation. In the majority of animals, serum antibody and virus were detected at the same time. One out of four in-oestrus heifers inoculated via the uterus with mixtures of BLV infected lymphocytes and semen became infected. It appears that there is an inhibitory factor in fresh semen that prevents BLV infection from becoming established. Viral antigen was detected earlier in BLV infected lymphocytes using the cocultivation method than by electron microscopy to demonstrate BLV particles in mitogen stimulated lymphocytes.