FUNCTIONAL-ACTIVITY OF T-LYMPHOCYTES, B-LYMPHOCYTES AND MACROPHAGES UNDER SUPPRESSED EXPRESSION OF ENDOGENOUS RETROVIRAL GENE ENV

Functional activity of murine T-, B-lymphocytes, and macrophages in vi tro was studied when expression of the endogenous env gene was suppres sed with an antisense oligonucleotide. Blockage of translation of the mink cell focus-forming endogenous provirus env gene increased RNA syn thesis 2.7 times in splenocytes; this phenomenon was not observed in i solated T- and B-lymphocytes. These conditions favored phagocytosis st imulation and increased interleukin 1 production by spleen macrophages . Production of transmembrane protein p15E, encoded by the env gene an d possessing immunosuppression activity in infectious retroviruses, wa s assessed to determine the specificity of the effect obtained. Incuba tion of splenocytes with an antisense oligonucleotide led to diminishe d protein production. The stimulation of RNA synthesis in. splenocytes with antisense oligonucleotide was probably due to reduction of endog enous p15E synthesis.