RETROVIRUS-INDUCED LYMPHOPROLIFERATIVE DISEASE IN MICE UNDERGOING GRAFT-VERSUS-HOST REACTION

The effect of graft-versus-host reaction on the course of concomminant retrovirus-induced lymphoproliferative disease was investigated. The graft-versus-host reaction was elicited by a single i.v. injection of 1.2x10(8) parental spleen cells into adult F1 mice. Lymphoproliferativ e disease was induced by a single transfusion of 0.2 ml of whole blood from donors with fully developed disease, induced by infection with r etrovirus LP-BM5 MuLV. Graft-versus-host reaction and the lymphoprolif erative disease each separately produced similar syndrome consisting o f splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, leukopenia, neutrophilia, reduced in vitro proliferation of spleen cells and suppression of in vivo immune responsiveness. The above symptoms were usually less pronounced during graft-versus-host reaction. Ongoing graft-versus-host reaction neithe r aggravated nor accelerated the course of the virus-induced lymphopro liferative disease in genetically susceptible F1 hybrids. Likewise, an ongoing graft-versus-host reaction in genetically resistant F1 hybrid s did not alter their susceptibility to the retrovirus infection. The apparent lack of the effect of graft-versus-host reaction -dependent i mmunosuppression on the severity and the course of the concommitant re trovirus-induced lymphoproliferative disease suggests pathogenic diffe rences between the murine syndrome and human AIDS for which the murine disease is considered by some to be an animal model.