The epstein-Barr-virus-encoded membrane protein LMP but not the nuclear antigen EBNA-1 induces rejection of transfected murine mammary carcinoma cells.
The EBV-encoded membrane protein (LMP) and the nuclear antigen EBNA-1 were compared for their capacity to induce rejection of transfected murine mammary carcinoma cells in syngeneic hosts. The tumorigenic potential of stable LMP and EBNA-1 expressing sublines of the ACA (H-2f)-derived mammary carcinoma line S6C was tested in pre-immunized syngeneic and semi-syngeneic animals. LMP expressing S6C cells elicited a strong rejection response as demonstrated by the lower tumor take and slower growth in immunized vs. control mice. In contrast, EBNA-1-expressing cells were non-immunogenic in syngeneic hosts and in one semi-syngeneic F1-hybrid. Rejection in 2 additional F1-hybrids did not appear to be due to EBNA-1-specific immune responses. Our findings support the hypothesis that the escape of EBV carrying tumor cells from EBV-specific immune surveillance may be facilitated by the fact that viral gene expression is limited to EBNA-1.
Trivedi
P
P
Department of Tumor Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Masucci
M G
MG
Winberg
G
G
Klein
G
G
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D002455:Cell Division; D002460:Cell Line; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006084:Graft Rejection; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008325:Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D014162:Transfection; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins
D000956:Antigens, Viral; C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins