In vivo interactions between murine leukemia and sarcoma viruses.

Experiments have been performed with the aim of elucidating the nature and the extent of the in vivo interactions between murine leukemia viruses (MuLVs) and murine sarcoma virus (MSV). BALB/c and CBA mice, injected neonatally with Graffi or passage A Gross viruses (MuLV-Gi, MuLV-G), have been inoculated as young adults with murine sarcoma virus, Moloney strain (MSV-M). A higher percentage of nonregressing sarcomas appeared in these animals, sometimes accompanied simultaneously by leukemia. The immune reactivity of mice receiving MuLV-Gi at birth was found to be significantly depressed when evaluated by the hemolytic palque-forming cell (PFC) technique. However, in mice infected with MuLV-Gi and MSV-M the number of PFC ranged within the control values or slightly increased. The potentiation of MSV-M oncogenicity following infection with MuLV was studied in a more natural situation. Adult AKR mice, known to release endogenous MuLV continuously, were injected with MSV-M. The incidence of induced sarcomas was similar to that observed in control BALB/c mice inoculated with MSV-M. Moreover, tumors developed with a very long latent period. On the other hand, the great majority of tumors showed no regression and ultimately killed the host. Additional experiments, making use of immunologic manipulation of the host and Fl hybrids, suggest that the relative resistance to MSV-M oncogenesis in AKR mice is influenced by genetic and immunologic factors. MSV recovered from MSV-M-induced tumors in AKR and C58 mice was typed by highly specific mouse antisera. The results clearly showed that formation of a new MSV pseudotype occurred in vivo, the endogenous Gross virus acting as helper.