Retrovirus-Induced Lymphoproliferative Disease in Mice: Role of Humoral Immunity in Perinatally Exposed Mice

Abstract

The mice born to female mice infected with LP-BM5 MuLV, the etiologic agent for lymphoproliferative disease and nursed for 4–6 weeks by them were less susceptible upon reinfection by i. v. transfusion of blood or plasma from infected donors with fully developed disease. Sera of 7 week or older perinatally exposed mice were capable of a complete in vitro neutralization of virus in plasma or blood from mice with fully developed disease. In contrast, sera from 3-week old perinatally exposed mice were ineffective. The neutralizing ability of the sera was drastically reduced or abrogated after their absorption with anti-mouse IgM. These observations are consistent with the notion that perinatally exposure results in a moderate form of the disease of the offspring. This perinatal infection is followed by a production of neutralizing antibodies of predominantly the IgM class that significantly alters the course of the lymphoproliferative disease and, in some instances, even prevents its development.