Prevention of 334C murine virus-induced leukemia by transmission of maternal immunity to offspring
Buffett, R.F.
Cancer Research 34(3): 559-563
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-5472 PMID: 4359879 Document Number: 75293
Ha/ICR Swiss female mice were immunized as adults with 334C murine leukaemia virus and were mated during or after immunization. Offspring were challenged with 334C virus at birth and were then nursed by immunized females until weaning. Incidence of leukaemia in offspring from immunized and non-immunized females respectively was 10 and 72%. The capability of virus-immunized females to protect their young lasted 5-6 months. In cross-foster nursing experiments, offspring of virus-immunized dams which suckled these dams for 2, 8 or 14 days before being transferred to virus-infected dams showed an incidence of leukaemia development of 36, 15 and 14%, compared with 71, 38 and 7% in control litters (offspring from non-immunized dams nursed by infected females). When offspring of virus-infected dams suckled these dams for 2, 8 or 14 days before being transferred to immunized females, leukaemia developed in 6, 33 and 81%, compared with 83, 68 and 72% control litters (virus-infected offspring nursed by non-immunized females). Results show a critical period, early in life, during which the course of virus infection can be altered and the incidence of leukaemia in adult life greatly influenced.