RETROVIRAL-MEDIATED EXPRESSION OF FIV ENVELOPE REV INDUCES CD8+ CTL RESPONSES IN MICE/

Recombinant retroviral vectors that express the Env and Rev proteins o f feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) were prepared and analyzed in a mouse model system for their ability to induce antigen-specific CD8 CTL (cytotoxic T lymphocyte) responses. The ultimate goal of these stu dies is to develop effective immunogens for CTL induction in the cat. Recombinant Env/Rev retroviral vectors were used to transduce mouse fi broblasts and these cells were then inoculated intraperitoneally into syngeneic BALB/c mice. FIV Env-specific CTL responses were obtained. T he potent ability of recombinant retroviral vector-transduced cells to elicit cell-mediated immunity in the mouse model offers the possibili ty that such delivery systems may serve as therapeutic and/or prophyla ctic treatments against FIV infection in the cat.