Effects of murine cytomegalovirus infection on the immune response to a tumor allograft.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of murine cytomegalovirus infection introduced after an EL4 ascites tumor allograft with cytomegalovirus infection accompanying or preceding the allograft. Parameters that were measured included documentation to the host's immune system. Depressed immune response of splenocytes from mice infected at any time before assay was documented by decreased responsiveness to phytohemagglutinin, to lipopolysaccharide, and to an alloantigen in mixed lymphocyte culture. In contrast, animals infected after grafting had enhanced lymphocyte-mediated cytolysis (LMC), enhanced serum-mediated cytolysis (SMC), and larger spleens than did animals that were only grafted and animals that were infected before grafting. Neither a depressive nor an enhancing effect of virus administered after grafting was reflected in vivo in reduced or increased graft clearance. Nonspecific effects of virus increased LMC and SMC in vitro, but the primary effect of viral infection after grafting is immune depression.

Duke Scholars

Author John David Hamilton Medicine, Infectious Diseases