Conversion of human fibroblasts to tissue macrophages by the Snyder-Theilen feline sarcoma virus (ST:FeSV(FeLV)): productive infection by Leishmania major.

The decisive role of macrophages in T-cell differentiation is best exemplified by cutaneous leishmaniasis. During infection, Leishmania attach to macrophages, the only site of replication for the parasite. We have recently demonstrated the conversion of human fibroblasts to tissue macrophages (TM) by transduction with the Snyder-Theilen feline sarcoma virus (ST:FeSV-(FeLV)). Since Leishmania have tropism only for macrophages, we have used the parasite to ascertain the functional phenotype of the ST:FeSV-induced TM. Here, we have demonstrated the productive infection of the ST:FeSV-induced TM by L. major. These results point to the utility of ST:FeSV-induced TM in studies that concern the role of human macrophages in T-cell differentiation during the course of infection by Leishmania.