Persistent infection of mice with the virus of lymphocytic choriomeningitis: virus-specific immunological tolerance.
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) virus-infected culture cells as targets were markedly reduced in numbers when incubated in vitro with spleen cells from LCM virus-immune mice, even if the cells were taken months after a subcutaneous immunizing infection of the donor animal. Spleen cells from mice persistently infected with LCM virus had no effect on target cells. Also, mitomycin C-blocked LCM virus-infected culture cells stimulated the incorporation of radiolabeled thymidine into spleen cells from LCM virus-immune mice. No stimulation was observed with spleen cells from LCM virus carrier mice. It was concluded that cell-mediated immunity directed against LCM virion surface antigen(s) is absent in LCM virus carrier mice.
Heinrich-Pette-Institut für experimentelle Virologie und Immunologie an der Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
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Cihak
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Lehmann-Grube