THE ROLE OF NATURAL-KILLER-CELLS IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS-ASSOCIATED BURKITT-LYMPHOMA IN A SCID MOUSE MODEL

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with both benign and malignant lymphoproliferative processes. Recently, mice with severe combined imm unodeficiency (SCID) have been described that develop EBV-induced lymp homas when inoculated with peripheral blood lymphocytes from EBV-serop ositive individuals. To investigate the pathogenesis of EBV-associated Burkitt lymphomas, we intraperitoneally inoculated SCID mice with cel ls from EBV-infected Burkitt lymphoma (BL) cell lines. In general, cel ls from BL lines developed into BL-like tumors. Certain BL cell lines, however, were not particularly tumorigenic in these animals. Antibody capable of depleting mice of natural killer cells (anti-asialo GM1) f avored the development of these Burkitt lymphomas. The pathogenetic im plications of this animal model for human disease is discussed.