Natural immunity in the oncornavirus-infected mouse.

BALB/cfC3H females neonatally infected with mammary tumor virus (MTV) possess spleen cells capable of significant cytotoxic activity against target MTV-induced mammary tumor cells in microcytotoxicity assay. Spleen cells from supposedly MTV-free BALB/c females are also specifically reactive, as a result of horizontal transmission of MTV antigens. No quantitative differences in reactivity exist between females not susceptible to the development of mammary tumors (BALB/c) and those that may develop or already have tumors (multiparous BALB/cfC3H). However, there are qualitative differences in response between those at risk and those not at risk.