Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-associated lymphoma: a potential role for immune dysfunction in tumourigenesis

Beatty, J.A., Lawrence, C.E., Callanan, J.J., Grant, C.K., Gault, E.A., Neil, J.C. and Jarrett, O. (1998) Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-associated lymphoma: a potential role for immune dysfunction in tumourigenesis. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 65(2-4), pp. 309-322. (doi: 10.1016/S0165-2427(98)00164-0) (PMID:9839882)

Abstract

To determine the potential role of immune dysfunction in feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-associated lymphomagenesis, we present the results of immunological monitoring during the chronic phase of experimental FIV infection in two cats which subsequently developed lymphoma. In one cat, C1, cell-mediated immunity was depressed throughout the monitoring period but particularly from 125–200 weeks post-infection (pi), when this cat demonstrated profoundly impaired lymphocyte blastogenesis and markedly increased interleukin-1 (IL-1) production compared to age-matched, uninfected control cats. Lymphocyte function in the other cat, C2, was preserved to a greater degree. Alterations in the levels of immunoglobulin isotypes M, A and G in CD4+-, CD8+- and CD21+-lymphocyte sub-sets were demonstrated in both cats. Southern blot analysis revealed the presence of integrated FIV-provirus in tumour DNA from C2 but not C1 indicating a possible direct role for the virus in the former case only. In this study we have characterised, for the first time, the FIV-induced immune dysfunction in cats which developed lymphoma, demonstrating potential indirect mechanisms of tumourigenesis.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Jarrett, Professor James and Neil, Professor James
• Authors: Beatty, J.A., Lawrence, C.E., Callanan, J.J., Grant, C.K., Gault, E.A., Neil, J.C., and Jarrett, O.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0165-2427