Abstract
Summary
Lymphocytes of MTV-negative Balb/c mice are sensitive to one or more antigens of MTV as determined by blastogenic transformation and migration inhibition assays. The lymphocytes from MTV-positive Balb/cfC3H mice are nonre-sponsive in these assays but become responsive after the mice have been implanted with MTV-positive tumors. The latter findings imply that there may be either a state of tolerance to MTV antigens which is broken by the tumor transplant or that the responses are directed towards antigens to which the host is not tolerant. The cause of the sensitivity of lymphocytes from MTV-negative Balb/c mice to MTV antigens has not been determined but two possible explanations are discussed: horizontal transmission and derepression of genetic information for viral antigen.
Supported by contract NO1 CP 43358 from the Virus Cancer Program of the National Cancer Institute, U. S. Public Health Service.
We gratefully acknowledge the valuable and efficient technical assistance of Mr. Mantley Dorsey and Mr. Jan Stern.
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