The cellular response of JC virus T-antigen-induced brain tumor implants to a Murine intra-ocular model

In order to define the immunologic response to central nervous system tumor s in a controlled fashion, we compared xenogeneic, allogeneic and syngeneic transplants of JC virus-induced neural tumor cell aggregates implanted int o anterior ocular chambers of mice. Semiquantitative assessment of the leve l of leukocyte common antigen (CD45) of the transplants by immunohistochemi stry was used to gauge rejection. Reticulin staining was used to monitor va scularization. Immunoreactivity to the viral oncoprotein, T-antigen, was co nfirmed by immunohistochemistry and immunoprecipitation/Western blot analys is. The results demonstrated that transplants were viable at all time-point s and developed vascularization as early as three days after transplantatio n. Xenotransplants, 13-days post-transplantation, and allogeneic transplant s, 25 days post-transplantation were infiltrated with polymorphonuclear leu kocytes. Fewer CD45 positive cells were demonstrated in syngeneic transplan ts. High levels of JCV T-antigen stimulated rejection in syngeneic transpla nts. These results establish a model for further investigation of the natur al and induced immunologic response to central nervous system tumors. (C) 2 000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.