Tissue and cell-specific expression of the p53-target genes: bax, fas, mdm2 and waf1/p21, before and following ionising irradiation in mice

The mechanisms by which the p53 tumour suppressor protein would, in vivo, co-ordinate the adaptive response to genotoxic stress is poorly understood. p53 has been shown to transactivate several genes that could be involved in two main cellular responses, growth arrest and apoptosis. To get further insight into the tissue-specific regulation of p53 transcriptional activity, we performed an extensive study looking at the expression of four well characterized p53-responsive genes, before and after gamma-irradiation in p53 wild-type (p53+/+) and p53-deficient (p53-/-) mice. The waf1, bax, fas and mdm2 genes were chosen for their different potential roles in the cellular response to stress. Our data demonstrate the strict p53-dependence of mRNA up-regulation for bax, fas and mdm2 in irradiated tissues and confirm such findings for waf1. They further highlight complex levels of regulatory mechanisms that could lead, in vivo, to selective transcriptional activation of genes by p53. In addition, our results provide arguments for the involvement of p53 in the basal mRNA expression of the four genes in some organs. Finally, in situ expression of Bax and p21Waf-1 protein suggests, at least in lymphoid organs, a direct correlation between selective p53-target gene expression and a particular response of a cell to ionising radiation.

Long-term persistent infection of domestic rabbits by the human foamy virus

Human foamy virus (HFV) belongs to the spumaretrovirus group of the Retroviridae taxonomic family. Attempts to associate HFV or other foamy viruses to a specific pathology still remain unsuccessful. However, viral gene expression as well as tissue-specific tropism in an in vivo context remain poorly analyzed. To address this issue, we have infected domestic rabbits with a single dose of HFV and followed them at the biological and molecular levels for 5 years. No apparent pathology was detectable in the infected animals which have developed a strong immunological response against major viral proteins. We found that HFV provirus in blood cells and several organs persisted predominantly in its defective form, delta HFV, suggesting that in vivo viral persistence could be related to homologous interference as was recently shown in vitro. This animal model might be useful for studying the in vivo targets of HFV and should also be convenient for testing therapeutic effects of antiretroviral drugs.

Inhibition of the in vitro infectivity and cytopathic effect of human foamy virus by dideoxynucleosides

Human foamy virus (HFV) is a human retrovirus that has not been clearly associated with human disease. In this study, we tested the capacity of nucleoside derivatives to inhibit the infectivity and cytopathic effect of HFV in T-lymphoblastoid cells in vitro. H9 cells showed a dramatic cytopathic effect 3 weeks after exposure to HFV. At this time, viral infection was demonstrated by detection of viral antigens by immunofluorescence staining, release of reverse transcriptase activity (RT) in the supernatant, detection of typical viral particles by electron microscopy, and presence of proviral DNA by Southern blot analysis. H9 cells were pretreated with dideoxycytidine (ddC), dideoxyinosine (ddI), or azidothymidine (AZT) at various concentrations before HFV infection. ddC could not completely suppress viral replication at low concentrations, and inhibited cell proliferation at higher concentrations. ddI partially inhibited the formation of giant cells at 10 microM, with 95% inhibition of RT in the supernatant. AZT induced a complete inhibition of cytopathic effect at concentrations > or = 1 microM, with more than 95% inhibition of RT in the supernatant. Moreover, the synthesis of proviral DNA was completely suppressed by 10 microM AZT. These results show that AZT and ddI can inhibit HFV replication in vitro.

In vitro studies on interferon-inducing capacity and sensitivity to IFN of human foamy virus

We demonstrate in this article that human foamy virus (HFV) fails to induce interferon (IFN) production in two different human tissue culture cell lines: U373-MG and AV3. We also show the effect of human alpha-, beta- and gamma IFN on the multiplication cycle of HFV. Treatment of cells with 100 IU/ml of any IFN led to strong inhibition of an HFV-induced cytopathic effect. This effect was associated with a significant diminution of reverse transcriptase activity in supernatant fluids of IFN-treated infected cultures, and a substantial decrease in viral particle production, as detected by electron microscopy. All these effects were accompanied by strong inhibition of both viral proteins and RNA synthesis, as well as almost total disappearance of free and integrated proviral DNA. In light of our data, human IFN action on HFV seems to be mediated by a mechanism which differs from that observed in the case of other retroviruses (type C and D for instance); however, it evokes that described for HIV.

Effects of serotonin and melanin on in vitro HIV-1 infection

In this article, we describe the effect of indoleamines: serotonin (5-HT) and synthetic soluble melanin, on the multiplication of HIV-1 in T4 lymphocytic cell lines. The results show that viral production is increased when infected CEM-11 cells are incubated with 5-HT (10(-7) M and 10(-8) M) for 72 hours, whereas at higher doses (10(-3) M and 10(-4) M), there is an inhibition of viral multiplication. As well, when infected CEM cells were cultured in the presence of 5-HT at 10(-4) M, during 15 days, virus production, syncytia formation and cytolytic effect were drastically inhibited. Melanin also inhibits HIV-1 cytopathic effect on MT-2 cells, without cell toxicity, at concentrations of 0.2-10 micrograms/ml. Syncytium formation and cell lysis were also blocked by melanin at concentrations of 0.1 to 10 micrograms/ml, when uninfected MT-2 cells were mixed with HIV-1 chronically infected CEM-11 cells.

Transient immunosuppressive effect induced in rabbits and mice by the human spumaretrovirus prototype HFV (human foamy virus)

Spumaviruses (foamy viruses) constitute one of the three retroviral genera isolated from man. Although spumaviruses have not been clearly linked to a given pathology in humans and other infected species, it is well established that they lead in vivo to chronic infections without detectable viral expression. We thought it of interest to investigate certain aspects of the pathology induced in laboratory animals by human foamy virus (HFV). In this work, we demonstrate that HFV infection of rabbits and mice gives rise to a transient immunosuppressive effect, as evaluated in vitro by lymphocyte transformation tests. This phenomenon occurs shortly after viral inoculation, at around 4-5 days, and regresses within thirty days.

Comparative studies on IL-6 production status in HTLV-1 chronically infected cell lines derived from different HTLV-1 associated pathologies

We have comparatively studied the qualitative and quantitative status of Interleukin 6 (IL-6) production in several HTLV-1 chronically infected T-cell lines derived from patients suffering either of adult-T-cell leukemia/lymphoma or of tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP). Two other HTLV-1 chronically infected cell lines, coming from healthy seropositive carriers, were also analyzed. Our results demonstrate that, independently of the origin, all these T cell lines, as compared to uninfected HTLV-1 T cell ones, which were always IL-6 non producers, synthesize and yield comparable amounts of IL-6 synthesis, he nosological origin of infecting viral strains does not seem to play a differential role on IL-6 qualitative or quantitative production parameters.

Human foamy virus polypeptides: identification of env and bel gene products

Human foamy virus (HFV) proteins were identified in human cells cultured in vitro by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting with specific antisera. Among several viral polypeptides, four glycoproteins of approximately 160, 130, 70, and 48 kDa were identified in HFV-infected cells. gp130 was shown to represent the intracellular env precursor, and gp70 and gp48 were shown to represent the external and transmembrane env proteins, respectively. The nature of gp160, which shares sequences with the env, bel1, and bel2 proteins, is not yet resolved. In addition, a p62 identified with bel1- and bel2-specific antisera likely corresponds to the bet gene product.

Human spumaretrovirus-related sequences in the DNA of leukocytes from patients with Graves disease

Viruses, and more particularly retroviruses, have been postulated to play a role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In a search for spumaretrovirus infection markers, we screened a group of 29 patients with Graves disease and a representative healthy population (23 subjects) as a control. Southern blot hybridization under stringent conditions, of patients' DNA extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes, with a spumaretrovirus-specific genomic probe derived from the human spumaretrovirus (HSRV) prototype, gave a positive signal in 10 cases. Moreover, by PCR, HSRV-related sequences were detected in the DNA of 19 patients (66%). Positive DNA samples in Southern blots were also positive in PCR for all regions tested (gag, bel1, bel2, long terminal repeat). Amplified (gag and bel2) products were cloned and sequenced; they showed high homology with HSRV. On the other hand, all 23 control subjects were negative by both procedures. Sera from both populations were examined for the presence of antibodies reactive with antigens of the spumaretrovirus family. These sera were negative by several immunodetection techniques: ELISA, indirect immunofluorescence, serum neutralization, and Western blotting. These results strongly suggest the existence of an association between Graves disease and the presence of HSRV-related infection markers.

Circulating interferon in cytomegalovirus infected bone-marrow-transplant recipients and in infants with congenital cytomegalovirus disease

In a study concerning five CMV-infected bone-marrow-transplant recipients, five congenital CMV diseases and appropriate controls, presence of high levels of circulating interferon (IFN) was demonstrated exclusively during the course of CMV disease. This interferon was predominantly "immune" or gamma interferon (gamma-IFN). These results suggest that during CMV disease the interferon compartment of the immune response is modified.

Further characterization of the gapped DNA intermediates of human spumavirus: evidence for a dual initiation of plus-strand DNA synthesis

We recently reported the presence of linear duplex DNA intermediates with a gap in the middle of the molecules in the replicative cycle of human (HSRV) and simian (SFV1) spumaviruses. The polypurine tract (PPT), at the 5' boundary of the 3' long terminal repeat, was found to be duplicated in the gap region. By molecular analysis of HSRV proviral DNA with region- and strand-specific probes, we have now determined that the gap is located on plus-strand DNA and that it is 120 bases long with the 3' end mapping at the duplicated PPT site. Kinetic analysis of proviral DNA provided evidence that the gap did not result from processing of a complete, full-length DNA molecule. These data strongly suggest that plus-strand DNA synthesis is initiated at both PPT sites.

Replication of HIV-1 in a wide variety of animal cells following phenotypic mixing with murine retroviruses

Human T cells co-infected with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and the xenotropic or dual-tropic mouse type C virus (MuLV) give rise, by phenotypic mixing, to progeny virus that can transfer HIV-1 into a wide variety of mammalian and avian cells. Differences in the extent of HIV-1 replication in these animal cells can be observed. Replication is best in human cells, but occurs substantially in cells from many animal species including mink, horse, and bush wallaby. Virus production in murine and avian cells is very limited. These results confirm that the major block to HIV-1 infection of animal cells is at the cellular surface but that intracellular regulation of viral replication is also involved. Moreover, an enhancement of HIV-1 cytopathic effects can be seen in human cells co-infected by MuLV. All these data suggest phenotypically mixed viruses might be useful for developing an animal model system for studying AIDS, and that the pathological expression of HIV-1 could be modified by the presence in cells of other retroviruses. They also indicate a potential mechanism by which HIV strains can be generated with an increased ability to spread in nature.

In vitro induction of early mouse embryo intracisternal particles (epsilon particles) in cultured cell lines

The experimental induction of epsilon particles, retrovirus-like structures corresponding to the small IA particles of the mouse, was studied by electron microscopy in rodent-cultured cell lines. Among the chemicals tested, only IdUr was shown to be an effective inducer, but not cycloheximide, puromycin , deoxy-fluorouracil or 5-azacytidine. However, only two mouse-derived cell lines: Ki-BALB and FG 10, among 27 cell lines of mouse, rat and mink origins tested, expressed epsilon particles upon IdUr treatment. Epsilon particles thus respond to chemical inducers very differently in comparison with large IAP. Moreover, the addition of interferon previously shown to attenuate IAP production, had no effect on that of epsilon particles.

Effects of human recombinant alpha and gamma and of highly purified natural beta interferons on simian Spumavirinae prototype (simian foamy virus 1) multiplication in human cells

The present study demonstrates the inhibitory effect of human recombinant interferons (r-Hu-IFN) alpha and gamma, and that of highly purified natural human interferon beta on the replication of simian foamy virus type 1 (SFV1) in human AV3-cell cultures. All IFN led to strong inhibition of the SFV1 cytopathic effect. Electron microscopy showed a 70 to 95% decrease in viral particles. Significant inhibition of virus-associated reverse transcriptase activity was found in supernatant fluids of infected IFN-treated cultures. Metabolic labelling of the virus confirmed the inhibition of extracellular release of SFV1. PAGE analysis of immunoprecipitates indicated a reduction in viral-specific protein bands. Altogether, these results indicate that the mechanism of inhibition of Spumavirinae infection by interferon differs from that described for the other Retroviridae, and particularly for types B, C and D viruses. Our data is of therapeutic interest since Spumavirinae have been linked to pathological processes such as de Quervain thyroiditis.

Effect of recombinant human alpha A interferon on Visna virus multiplication in acutely infected ovine cells

We have studied the effects of recombinant human alpha A interferon (IFN) on the multiplication of Visna retrovirus in ovine cells. Pretreatment with IFN followed by continuous IFN treatment, drastically blocked the Visna virus induced cytopathogenic effect and the emergency of neoformed virions. Thus, virus yield and virus dependent reverse transcriptase activity were highly reduced in supernatant fluids. All these effects were accompanied by a strong inhibition of viral protein synthesis. In the light of these data, human IFN action on Visna retrovirus seems to be determined by a mechanism of action distinct from that described in the case of other Retroviridae.

Evidence for a gapped linear duplex DNA intermediate in the replicative cycle of human and simian spumaviruses

Two forms of linear DNAs have been found in simian (SFV1) and human (HSRV) spumaviruses: a linear duplex unsensitive to nuclease S1 and a sensitive structure with a single-stranded gap. Two nuclease S1 sensitive sites, mapping at the same position for both viruses, have been identified in the gapped structure. Using different molecular subgenomic clones of HSRV as probes in Southern blot analysis, one S1 site was localized in the 3'LTR and the other near the middle of the molecule at about 6.5 kbp from the 5' end of the viral genome. The latter site was shown to correspond to a single stranded region within the linear duplex DNA. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that the polypurine tract (PPT) usually found at the 5' boundary of the 3'LTR of retroviruses, is duplicated in HSRV at the 3' end of the pol gene, near the gap. This suggests that the synthesis of plus strand DNA is discontinuous, generating the gap.

Dexamethasone stimulates expression of transposable type A intracisternal retroviruslike genes in mouse (Mus musculus) cells

Dexamethasone treatment enhances expression of transposable intracisternal type A particles (IAP) at RNA and proteins levels in a murine retrovirus-transformed cell line (Ki-BALB). This effect was ascertained by electron microscopic numeration of IAP. By sequence comparison, we located glucocorticoid-responsive elements in IAP long terminal repeats. Their regulatory potential was tested on the promoter activity of an IAP long terminal repeat construct coupled with the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene. Our findings suggest that the IAP activation by dexamethasone occurs at the level of transcription.

Interferon inducibility and sensitivity of human teratocarcinoma-derived cell lines

Three cell lines tera I, tera II, and PA1, derived from human teratocarcinomas were tested for their capacity to produce interferon (IFN) and for their sensitivity to both human IFN-alpha and IFN-beta. When treated with Newcastle disease virus or Sendai virus, or a synthetic polyribonucleotide, poly(rI):poly(rC), tera I cells produced no IFN and the 2',5'-oligoadenylate (2-5A) synthetase enzymatic pathway was not activated, although there was an increase in protein kinase. In contrast, tera II and PA1 cells produced IFN and both enzymatic activities were detected. IFN treatment has no effect on the growth of any of the cell lines. Tera I and PA1 cells did not develop resistance to challenge with vesicular stomatitis virus or encephalomyocarditis virus, but the growth of a type-C baboon retrovirus was inhibited. Tera II cells were protected against all three viruses. It appears that human teratocarcinoma cell lines can thus differ greatly in their ability to produce IFN and to respond to it.

Simultaneous activation by 5-azacytidine of intracisternal R particles and murine intracisternal-A particle related sequences in Syrian hamster cells

5-Azacytidine treatment of Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) cells, BHK21-cl.13, and primary embryo fibroblasts, activates the production of intracisternal type R particles (IRP) as ascertained by electron microscopy scanning and counting. Efficiency of the activation is dose- and time of treatment-dependent. The transcription of mouse intracisternal A particle (IAP) related sequences, which have been described in Syrian hamster genomic DNA, is increased at the same time. This correlates with demethylation of hamster IAP related genes, as shown by restriction of high molecular weight DNA from 5-azacytidine treated cells with methylation sensitive enzymes, and subsequent electrophoresis and molecular hybridization of the fragments with specific DNA probes. In 5-azacytidine treated cells derived from other hamster species (Cricetulus griseus and C. migratorius), intracisternal R particles were not induced, nor were mouse IAP-related RNAs detected.

The interferon compartment of the immune response in human malaria: II. Presence of serum-interferon gamma following the acute attack

The present study concerns the monitoring of serum-interferon (serum-IFN) levels among 189 patients followed after and sometimes during an acute episode of malaria due mainly to Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum). Of these patients, 110 known to have no other parasitic or infectious disease were followed in France; 79 were from Thailand, among which 25 cases of neuromalaria were diagnosed. In a first four-month survey conducted in France, among 100 patients seen after the acute attack, serum-IFN-gamma was characterized among 87% cases for which at least two sera were controlled, whereas in a healthy population no serum-IFN was present. When efforts were concentrated on screening ten cases during the first 48 h of the febrile attack, serum-IFN-alpha was mainly characterized, whereas serum-IFN-gamma was present only once. Elevated leukocyte 2',5' oligoadenylate synthetase levels were found among several IFN-alpha positive patients of this study group. A peculiarity pertaining to the patients from Thailand was that one-third (25 cases) were cerebral malaria cases. Among these, 15 were followed under hospitalization during the first 96 h. In this study group, the onset of circulating immune interferon was found to be preceded or accompanied by that of IFN-alpha. Thus, if serum-IFN-gamma is largely characterized among malaria patients followed after the acute attack, it is possible that the onset of circulating immune interferon is generally preceded by that of IFN-alpha.

Regulation of intracisternal A particles in mouse teratocarcinoma cells: involvement of DNA methylation in transcriptional control

The methylation state of Intracisternal A Particle (IAP) genes in mouse teratocarcinoma cell lines has been investigated as an approach to study the regulation of the expression of these particles. Treatment of the cells with the methylation inhibitor 5-azacytidine induces the production of the particles in all the cells; the induction is particularly striking in an embryonal carcinoma cell line which is normally devoid of IAPs. The induction is accompanied by decrease in DNA methylation as demonstrated by using the methylation sensitive isoschizomer enzymes MspI and HpaII. Hypomethylation of the IAP genes correlates with accumulation of IAP, specific polyadenylated RNA reinforcing the hypothesis that methylation plays an important role in the control of IAP expression.

Interferon-mediated regulation of myc and Ki-ras oncogene expression in long-term-treated murine viral transformed cells

Long-term treatment of a murine retroviral-transformed cell line (Ki-Balb) with 50 units/ml of interferon (IFN) resulted in a morphological reversion. The effects of IFN on myc and Ki-ras oncogene expression were examined after 6 months of treatment. mRNA dot and Northern blots hybridization analysis reveal that the expression of c-myc at the RNA level decreases by about fourfold. This reduction in the c-myc mRNA appears to be selective since in the same cells v-Ki-ras and an endogenous retroviral gene, intracisternal A particles (IAP), are increased four- and threefold, respectively. No significant inhibition of cellular growth and cell-cycle distribution was observed in IFN-Ki-Balb-treated cells.

Activation of intracisternal a particles by 5-azacytidine in mouse Ki-BALB cell line

5-Azacytidine activates the production of intracisternal A particles (IAPs) in mouse Ki-BALB cell line as ascertained by electron microscopy scanning and numeration. Efficiency of the activation is higher than that obtained with iododeoxyuridine. The increase in particle production is concentration and time dependent. The results obtained in our system correlate the high IAP expression after drug treatment with a demethylation of IAP-related genes sequences.

[Production of circulating interferon in human malaria]

The presence of an interferon-like activity inhibiting the cytopathic effect of vesicular stomatitis virus was studied in 216 sera from 100 patients with P. falciparum (67 cases), P. vivax (16), P. ovale (13), P. malariae (4) infections. 87% of patients were found positive on one or more occasions. The prevalence of interferon-like activity was similar in all 4 species. Titers varied between 20 to 320 U/ml and were found to be higher in Europeans experiencing a primary attack of malaria (mean = 72 U/ml) than in subjects from hyperendemic areas of West Africa (mean = 37 U/ml). In patients followed-up either a delayed positivity or an increase of interferon-like activity was found in 60% of cases. High titers were observed up to the 3rd month. The viral inhibitory activity met all criteria for defining interferon. Seroneutralization assays using anti-alpha and anti-gamma interferon antibodies showed in 5 patients that human malaria was associated with the presence of a gamma interferon.

Circulating interferon in cytomegalovirus infected bone-marrow-transplant recipients and in infants with congenital cytomegalovirus disease

In a study concerning five CMV-infected bone-marrow-transplant recipients, five congenital CMV diseases and appropriate controls, presence of high levels of circulating interferon (IFN) was demonstrated exclusively during the course of CMV disease. This interferon was predominantly "immune" or gamma interferon (gamma-IFN). These results suggest that during CMV disease the interferon compartment of the immune response is modified.

Effect of human interferon on type D retroviruses multiplication in chronically infected cell lines

A study was made on the effect of human interferon (HuIFN) on the synthesis and release of type D viruses (MPMV and SMRV) by chronically infected human lines. Interferon at concentrations of 50 IU/ml lead to an inhibition of the extracellular virus production by about 50%-80% as measured by virus-associated reverse transcriptase activity, by metabolic labeling of the virus with (3H) uridine or (3H) amino acids, or by electron microscopy counting of particles. The profiles of intracellular viral proteins, as visualized by radioimmunoprecipitation and electrophoresis, were not different in control or IFN-treated cells and the yield of intracellular protein p27 stayed unchanged or was slightly increased. Electron microscopy of thin sections taken from the control and IFN-treated cells revealed no difference in any subcellular structures including that of the viruses. However, electron microscopic examination of IFN-treated cells showed an increased number of either budding particles and intracytoplasmic precursors (two- to five-fold) or mature virus particles (four- to ten-fold) on the cell surface of the IFN-treated cells. These results indicate that IFN inhibits further developments of MPMV and SMRV replication as was described for type C and B retroviruses.

Study of a human heteroploid cell line cryptically infected by a murine oncornavirus

This report concerns the establishment of a human cell line cryptically infected by a murine leukemia virus (MuLV). This cell line, named J112, is characterized by the presence of genetic viral information in a majority of cells as demonstrated by immunological and virological methods, and by the absence of detectable viral activity in the supernatant culture fluids. Nevertheless, electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of a small number of particles which have the morphology of immature type C particles. We discuss the importance of this experimental model in relationship with non-producing (NP) infections of human cells by oncogenic retroviruses.

Effect of levamisole on interferon production by PHA-stimulated human leukocyte cultures

Mononuclear leukocytes of 10 normal blood donors were cultured in vitro and treated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA-P) and/or levamisole. Interferon-like activity was investigated in the supernatant fluids of the cultures, using VSV as challenge virus. In most of the cases the PHA-stimulated interferon-like activity was slightly but significantly enhanced by levamisole. The antiviral activity produced in the supernatant fluids was characterized as interferon since it was trypsin sensitive, species specific and inhibited by specific antiserum. This interferon has the characteristic sensitivity to PH2 of immune interferon.

Effect of interferon on chronic infection of human cells by xenotropic type-C viruses

Different preparations of human interferon inhibit virus production in human cells chronically infected by a variety of type-C xenotropic viruses. Some of these viruses have been incriminated in the development of leukemia in primates. The characteristics of blocking of viral multiplication are similar to those described for the effect of mouse interferon on ecotropic viruses. The amount of free virus in culture supernatants is strongly decreased while intracellular protein p30 stays unchanged or is slightly increased. On the other hand, the inhibitory effect is reversible. The withdrawal of interferon results in a rapid increase in virus production as detectable in supernatant fluids. In the light of these results it is suggested that human interferon might be useful in the treatment of some blood malignancies suspected of being related to infection with xenotropic type-C viruses.

[Effect of human interferon on viral production in a cell line chronically infected by a type D retrovirus (Mason-Pfizer virus)]

Human interferon specifically inhibits the viral multiplication in a human cell line infected by a type D retrovirus, the Mason-Pfizer virus (MPV). This inhibition is less important than for type C viruses.

[Attempt at activating mouse intracisternal type A particles by iododeoxyuridine and dexamethasone]

In this study we have compared the effects of Iododeoxyridine (IUdR) and dexamethasone on different Mouse cell lines to determine any differences in their actions on intracisternal A-type particles (IAP). Among the nine cell lines studied only four responded to IUdR stimulation by a subsequent augmentation of IAP. No similar activating effect was detected with dexamethasome treatment.

[Response of an undifferentiated and nullipotential cell line derived from an A/Heston mouse teratocarcinoma to infection with type C ecotropic murine viruses]

The PCC6 cell line, derived from an A/Heston Mouse Teratocarcinoma, and composed of nullipotential embryonic carcinoma cells (ECC), is completely resistant to infection with type C murine ecotropic viruses. It reacts as other cell lines previously studied which are derived from a 129 Mouse teratocarcinoma and composed of multipotential ECC.

[Murine type C endogenous virus expression in murine 129 teratocarcinoma cell line]

Murine type C viral information is detectable in the cellular genome of both differentiated and undifferentiated cell lines derived from 129 Mouse teratocarcinoma. Cytoplasmic RNA expression which is negligible in differentiated cells, is significantly higher in multipotential undifferentiated cells. Furthermore it was observed that in vitro differentiation of multipotent cells leads to a decrease of this expression.

Replication of Mouse Sarcoma Virus (Moloney) and its helper in a human heteroploid cell line of malignant origin

A human heteroploid cell line of malignant origin (J111) was infected with Mouse Moloney Sarcoma Virus. [MSV-M(MLV)]. The replication of the virus was demonstrated by different methods. After a few passages of infected cultures, the transforming component of MSV-M(MLV) disappeared from the supernatant fluids and cells. The non transforming helper component continued to be produced. The relatively low amount of helper virus released by the cells suggests a control of its replication in the J111 cellular system.

[Biological and biochemical characterization of a new isolate of baboon Papio papio endogenous type C virus]

A new strain of Baboon Papio papio endogeneous type C virus was isolated from the testis of an animal of this species. The strain was characterized biochemically and biologically. It presents a host-range different from that of the prototype strain of the same virus.

[Induction of endogenous murine C-type viruses. Attempt at discrimination by the pI of polypeptide p30 and the aspect of cellular transformation]

Endogenous ecotropic and xenotropic murine C-type viruses induced in K-Balb-3T3 cells treated with iododeoxyuridine (IdU) were selected by infection of appropriate indicator cells. The isoelectric point (p1) of the major viral polypeptide (p30) was found to be 6.1 for the ecotropic virus (class I), and 5.7 for the xenotropic virus (class II). An isoelectric form (iso p30) of pl 6.5 was observed in the initial induction peak. In addition, the pattern of cellular alteration in NRK cells at its onset varied according to the pseudotype, the class I pseudotype inducing round cell foci while the foci associated with the class II pseudotype consisted of fusiform cells.