Regulation of leukocyte glass adherence and tube leukocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) reactivity by serum factors in dogs with progressing or spontaneously regressing canine transmissible venereal sarcoma (CTVS)

Canine transmissible venereal tumor cell depletion of B lymphocytes: molecule(s) specifically toxic for B cells

Canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) is an excellent model for investigating the interaction between host immunity and tumor growth. Although CTVT is an allograft, initially the host immune system is unable to destroy the tumor cells, and the tumor grows progressively for about 4-6 months (P phase). After a short stable phase, the tumor undergoes regression (R phase). In this study, CTVT inoculation significantly reduced the proportion of B lymphocytes among all peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), but the proportion of B lymphocytes returned to normal after complete removal of CTVT. Following CTVT inoculation, immunoglobulin concentrations decreased gradually, coincident with B lymphocyte decline. Furthermore, CTVT secreted a soluble, heat- and protease K-sensitive cytotoxic molecule(s) that destroyed peripheral blood B lymphocytes (PBBL) but spared other types of immune cells regardless of whether mitogens, such as IL-2 or Con A, were present. The decrease in the proportion and viability of PBBL was caused by a cytotoxic molecule(s) that induced apoptosis. The molecular weight of the CTVT-derived cytotoxic molecule(s) was 30-100kDa. Human, domestic cat, horse and mouse B cells were also sensitive to the substance.

Tumor size, leukocyte adherence inhibition and serum levels of tumor antigen in dogs with the canine transmissible venereal sarcoma

Tumor antigen (TA) associated with the canine transmissible venereal sarcoma (CTVS) was detected in the sera of dogs bearing the tumor. Rabbit antisera specific for tumor antigen and 3 M KCl extracts of CTVS cells were used in both a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and antigen-capture ELISA to quantify levels of circulating TA. In a study of 29 dogs bearing the transplanted CTVS, levels of circulating TA correlated positively with tumor volume. In a longitudinal study of four dogs receiving a transplant of 10(8) viable CTVS cells, circulating CTVS antigen was detected transiently 2 days after transplantation, while persistent levels of TA associated with increasing tumor volume were demonstrable 19-34 days after transplantation. In three of four tumor-bearing dogs, levels of serum TA correlated inversely with values obtained with peripheral blood leukocytes in the leukocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) assay; elevated levels of circulating TA found in dogs with large (greater than 7 cm3) tumors were associated with decreased LAI reactivity of peripheral blood leukocytes. TA could not be detected in sera 48-72 h after surgical removal of CTVS whereas LAI reactivity of peripheral blood leukocytes to CTVS antigen rebounded 1-3 weeks following tumor excision. Results of this study support the use of the competitive ELISA and LAI techniques in assessing levels of circulating tumor antigen, tumor burden and tumor-specific immunity.

Growth stage dependent expression of MHC antigens on the canine transmissible venereal sarcoma

Canine transmissible venereal sarcoma (CTVS) is a naturally occurring contagious neoplasm which can be transplanted with intact viable cells across major histocompatibility (MHC) barriers within the species and even to other members of the canine family, such as foxes, coyotes, and wolves. After 2 to 4 months of progressive growth the tumour regresses spontaneously in adults but metastasizes in immunosuppressed hosts and neonates. The mechanisms of how the tumour cells manage to overcome histocompatibility barriers so successfully for such a long period and yet succumb later are not known. In the present study we found that CTVS cells were not stimulatory to the lymphocytes of normal or tumour-bearing animals in mixed lymphocyte-tumour reaction (MLTR), although the lymphocytes from tumour-bearing animals in mixed lymphocyte-tumour reaction (MLTR), although the lymphocytes from tumour-bearing hosts responded well to either phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) or third-party allogeneic lymphocytes. Immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) assay of MHC antigens by monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) to monomorphic Class I and Class II MHC antigens showed that progressor tumour cells lacked the expression of the antigens whereas 30 to 40% of regressor tumour cells expressed them.