Immunization with envelope glycoprotein of an avian RNA tumor virus protects against sarcoma virus tumor induction: role of subgroup.

Avian RNA tumor virus envelope glycoprotein protects against sarcoma development by an avian sarcoma virus of the same subgroup. Avian RNA tumor viruses, members of the retrovirus family, induce various malignancies in fowl (Weiss et al. (eds.), 1982, RNA Tumor Viruses, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.). These viruses consist of a genomic RNA core surrounded by an envelope with embedded glycoproteins, of 85 and 37 kDa. The 85 kDa glycoprotein is antigenically specific for each subgroup as determined by neutralization. The envelope glycoprotein can be removed from the virion with retention of its antigenicity (Duesberg et al., 1970, Virology 41, 631-646). Two fractions of 4-6S and 8S, separated by sedimentation, were shown to retain antigenicity by interference of neutralization of virus by antibody. Thus, the 4-6S and 8S preparations could possibly serve as immunogens. The objective of this study was to determine if such envelope glycoprotein preparations could function as potential vaccines, and if so, whether the protection afforded would be subgroup specific.