Cytotoxic responses to BLV tax oncoprotein do not prevent leukemogenesis in sheep.
Delta retrovirus-mediated leukemogenesis is dependent on the oncogenic potential of Tax. It is not clear, however, whether Tax-specific immune responses play a role in leukemia onset and progression. Using the BLV-associated leukemia model in sheep, we found that Tax-specific cytotoxic responses induced by DNA immunization or viral infection of naïve animals were not predictive of disease outcome and did not prevent tumor development. Furthermore, provirus and tax may be absent from blood for extended periods, emphasizing the relevance of surveying other compartments during chronic lymphoproliferative disorders. Our results support the conclusion that Tax-specific cytotoxic responses, even during the initial phase of infection, are not sufficient to prevent leukemogenesis.
Van den Broeke
Anne
A
Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium. anne.vandenbroeke@bordet.be
Oumouna
Mustapha
M
Beskorwayne
Terry
T
Szynal
Maud
M
Cleuter
Yvette
Y
Babiuk
Shawn
S
Bagnis
Claude
C
Martiat
Philippe
P
Burny
Arsene
A
Griebel
Philip
P
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D016356:Gene Products, tax / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007938:Leukemia / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*; D001909:Leukemia Virus, Bovine / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D012756:Sheep; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology
D016356:Gene Products, tax; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D014765:Viral Vaccines