Type 12 Adenovirus Proteins: Influence on Tumor Development in Offspring of Immunized Pregnant Hamsters 1

Abstract

Summary

Using Freund's complete adjuvant, groups of pregnant hamsters were immunized with purified type 12 adenovirus (Ad 12), core proteins isolated from this virus, and hexon proteins isolated from unassembled soluble viral proteins. Control groups were untreated, or given the adjuvant alone. The progeny of all groups were challenged soon after birth with a highly oncogenic strain of Ad 12. Retardation of tumor growth in the maternally immunized, as compared with the control groups, was evidenced by delayed appearance, slower growth, and significantly lower average tumor weights at the termination of the study. On the basis of these criteria, purified virus and purified hexon protein both appeared to be highly and equally effective in repressing tumor growth in the progeny. The protection afforded by core proteins was of a much lower order. These results suggest the possibility of immunizing against Ad 12 by using highly purified, DNA-free, and presumably harmless hexon proteins.