Demonstration of Graffi Leukemia Virus and Virus-Induced Antigens in Leukemic and Nonleukemic Tissues of Mice

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Abstract
The presence of Graffi myeloid leukemia virus in different leukemic and nonleukemic tissues of mice has been determined by the ability of the virus to form antibodies in adult mice against virus-induced antigens on the surface of Graffi leukemia cells. Both antibodies and virus-induced antigens in infected cells were measured by the indirect fluorescent-antibody technique. Twenty-four hours after infection of newborn mice, Graffi virus was demonstrable in spleen, liver, and brain. Three days after infection, the virus was also found in lymph nodes and thymus. Measured by the rapidity of antibody response, the highest virus concentration in the organs tested was reached about 14 days after inoculation. Absorption experiments at this time showed that spleen cells contained virus-induced surface antigens. These antigens were not detectable in spleen cells of animals infected as adults. With the mouse antibody production test, the Graffi virus was also demonstrable in the Landschütz sarcoma 1, the Ehrlich carcinoma, naturally harboring the Graffi virus, and a Graffi virus-infected Gross leukemia of the AKR strain. High antibody levels against leukemia cells developed in animals with progressively growing tumor or leukemia cells containing the virus. Although Sarcoma 1 and Ehrlich carcinoma cells, as well as the Graffi virus-infected Gross leukemia, were not sensitive to the rejection response of Graffi immune mice, results of absorption experiments and fluorescent antibody tests indicate virus-induced antigens on the surface of these cells. Their reactions, compared with those of leukemia cells, were very weak. The nature of virus-induced surface antigens is discussed.