XenCSA: cell surface antigens related to the major glycoproteins (gp70) of xenotropic murine leukemia viruses
Morse, H.C.; Chused, T.M.; Boehm-Truitt, M.; Mathieson, B.J.; Sharrow, S.O.; Hartley, J.W.
Journal of Immunology 122(2): 443-454
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1767 PMID: 216748 Document Number: 139258
Antisera from rabbits immunized with rabbit corneal (SIRC) cells infected with xenotropic murine leukemia viruses (MuLV) were tested for their reactivity with MuLV and the surface of cells exogenously or endogenously infected with MuLV. The sera demonstrated class specificity for gp70 determinants of intact xenotropic MuLV. Only molecules with characteristics of gp70 were precipitated out of radiolabeled antigens [Ag] from the surface of cell lines exogenously infected with MuLV or from lymphocytes of normal mice. Cross-reactivity between virion envelope and cell surface Ag was demonstrated by absorption testing. The set of cross-reactive Ag present on the envelopes of xenotropic MuLV and murine lymphocytes was termed XenCSA (xenotropic MuLV envelope-related cell surface Ag). XenCSA expression on thymocytes and spleen cells from 63 strains of inbred mice was assessed by immunofluorescence using flow microfluorometry. Lymphocytes from both tissues of all strains expressed XenCSA, but to a highly variable extent. Based on mean fluorescence values, thymocytes and spleen cells from each strain were classified as being high or low for XenCSA. There was a high association for expression for XenCSA and [mouse allo-Ag] GIX on thymocytes but no correlation with Fv-1, t1a, H-2, Pca-1, or GCSA [Gross cell surface Ag]. The level of XenCSA expressed on the cell surface was independent on the amount of infectious xenotropic MuLV produced by those cells.