Immunology and Pathology of Murine Leukemia Virus Infections

Hasenkrug, K J.

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to investigate the genetics, immunology and pathology of retroviral infections. Specifically, we use mice infected with Murine Leukemia Viruses as models to study retroviral neurovirulence, immunological resistance mechanisms, and vaccine protection. The project involves the use of genetically identical mice to study specific effects from viruses containing defined genetic differences. We also use genetically distinct mouse strains (congenic, transgenic and knockout strains) to identify resistance genes, and to relate genetic resistance to specific immunological mechanisms. In addition, we also use these mice to test vaccines and immunological responses. The basic knowledge gained from these studies is relevant to human diseases such as HIV-associated dementia, HTLV I-induced leukemia, and AIDS.

Funding Agency

• Agency: National Institute of Health (NIH)
• Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
• Type: Intramural Research (Z01)
• Project #: 1Z01AI000753-02
• Application #: 6160749
• Study Section: Special Emphasis Panel (LPVD)
• Support Year: 2
• Fiscal Year: 1997

Institution

• Name: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
• Country: United States

Publications

Velmourougane, Geetha; Harbut, Michael B; Dalal, Seema et al. (2011) Synthesis of new (-)-bestatin-based inhibitor libraries reveals a novel binding mode in the S1 pocket of the essential malaria M1 metalloaminopeptidase. J Med Chem 54:1655-66

Ammann, Christoph G; Messer, Ronald J; Peterson, Karin E et al. (2009) Lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus induces systemic lymphocyte activation via TLR7-dependent IFNalpha responses by plasmacytoid dendritic cells. PLoS One 4:e6105

Pike, Rebecca; Filby, Andrew; Ploquin, Mickael J-Y et al. (2009) Race between retroviral spread and CD4+ T-cell response determines the outcome of acute friend virus infection. J Virol 83:11211-22

Robertson, Shelly J; Messer, Ronald J; Carmody, Aaron B et al. (2008) CD137 costimulation of CD8+ T cells confers resistance to suppression by virus-induced regulatory T cells. J Immunol 180:5267-74

Greene, Justin M; Burwitz, Benjamin J; Blasky, Alex J et al. (2008) Allogeneic lymphocytes persist and traffic in feral MHC-matched mauritian cynomolgus macaques. PLoS One 3:e2384

Santiago, Mario L; Montano, Mauricio; Benitez, Robert et al. (2008) Apobec3 encodes Rfv3, a gene influencing neutralizing antibody control of retrovirus infection. Science 321:1343-6

Marques, Rute; Antunes, Ines; Eksmond, Urszula et al. (2008) B lymphocyte activation by coinfection prevents immune control of friend virus infection. J Immunol 181:3432-40

Robertson, Shelly J; Ammann, Christoph G; Messer, Ronald J et al. (2008) Suppression of acute anti-friend virus CD8+ T-cell responses by coinfection with lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus. J Virol 82:408-18

Hasenkrug, Kim J; Dittmer, Ulf (2007) Immune control and prevention of chronic Friend retrovirus infection. Front Biosci 12:1544-51

Hasenkrug, Kim J (2007) The leptin connection: regulatory T cells and autoimmunity. Immunity 26:143-5