Hematologic abnormalities similar to the preleukemic state of adult T-cell leukemia in African green monkeys naturally infected with simian T-cell leukemia virus.
Studies were made of the hematologic features of 23 adult African green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) naturally infected with simian T-cell leukemia virus (STLV), which is closely related to human T-cell leukemia virus type I. None of the STLV-infected monkeys showed any clinical signs, but their absolute lymphocyte count and percentage of atypical lymphocytes were significantly higher than those of uninfected monkeys. Three STLV-infected monkeys had especially high percentages of atypical lymphocytes. Most of the atypical lymphocytes were small- or medium-sized lymphocytes with a lobulate or convoluted nucleus, and were very similar to the leukemic cells in human cases of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), while other atypical cells were large lymphoblastoid cells. Both types of atypical cells were positive for Leu2a and Tac antigens, and expressed STLV antigen after short-term culture. These findings suggested the presence of a preleukemic state in these STLV-infected monkeys similar to that seen in human ATL, and indicated the value of this natural infection system as an animal model of ATL in humans.
D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002521:Cercopithecus; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D006800:Deltaretrovirus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D011289:Preleukemia / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary*; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary*
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7