title: FeLV-induced immunosuppression through alterations in signal transduction: changes in intracellular free calcium levels.
abstract: Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus with immunosuppressive properties. The mechanism(s) of immunosuppression is unknown. Calcium has been shown to be a second messenger in cellular activation and regulation. This study was designed to determine whether FeLV alters intracellular free calcium (IFC) levels in an FeLV-infected feline lymphoid cell line. Control cells and FeLV-infected cells were exposed to Concanavalin A, formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine, and leukotriene B4. The basal IFC and post-stimulation IFC levels were recorded using Fura 2 AM and a luminescence spectrometer. Data collected indicate that FeLV-infected cells have a higher basal level of IFC and a reduced amount of increase in IFC after stimulation when compared to the control cells. The results would seem to indicate retrovirus-mediated interference occurring in the intracellular calcium signaling process.
authors.affiliation: Ohio State University, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Columbus 43210.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Dezzutti
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Olsen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D002415:Cats; D002460:Cell Line; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D005256:Leukemia Virus, Feline / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D007975:Leukotriene B4 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / Q000494:pharmacology; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D003208:Concanavalin A; D007975:Leukotriene B4; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine; D002118:Calcium