Blocking of spleen cell activity against target mammary tumor cells by viral antigens.

Spleen cells from BALB/c females exposed to or neonatally infected with mammary tumor virus (MTV) are cytotoxic to MTV-induced mammary tumor cells in microcytotoxocity assay. This activity can be partially or completely blocked by pretreatment of spleen cells with MTV purified from milk. Murine leukemia virus (MuLV) has no effect. T cell responses of virgin and multiparous BALB/cfC3H females are effectively blocked. Non-T cell responses of multiparous BALB/cfC3H females or of virgin BALB/c females are blocked by some but not all of the MTV antigen preparations. MuLV, but not MTV, can block activity of spleen cells from MuLV-sensitized donors against target MuLV-producing tumor cells.