Engraftment of HTLV-I-transformed human T-cell line into SCID mice with NK cell function.

HTLV-I-transformed human T-cell line, MT-2, has been reported to successfully proliferate in only the SCID mice with depletion of NK cell function. However, MT-2 cells could be engrafted into SCID mice possessing normal NK cell function in this study. MT-2 cells (5-7 x 10(7) cells) were intraperitoneally injected into SCID mice without the deletion of NK cell function. The SCID mice developed tumors in the peritoneal cavities 3 months after the inoculation of MT-2 cells. All tumors reacted to anti-HTLV-I p19 and anti-HLA-DR monoclonal antibodies by immunofluorescence assay and were also positive for the HTLV-I gene by PCR assay. DNA obtained from main organs in group of mice with or without tumors showed a high incidence of positive signals for HTLV-I gene by PCR assay.