Different T-cell subtypes are associated with pathologically distinct forms of Moloney leukemia virus (M-MuLV)-induced lymphoma.

The T-cell enzyme markers, terminal deoxy-nucleotidyltransferase (TDT) and 20 alpha hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20 alpha SDH), were used to classify lymphomas induced by the Moloney leukemia virus (M-MuLV). Different subtypes of T cells were shown to be involved in different types of lymphoma. Thymomas were TdT-positive and grew as subcutaneous solid tumors at the site of inoculation. Spleen cells from mice with generalized lymphoma were of two types. In the majority of cases the lymphomas consisted of 20 alpha SDH-positive cells that homed to spleen and lymph nodes upon transplantation. In a few cases the cells of enlarged spleens were TdT-positive and, like the TdT-positive thymomas, could be transplanted as subcutaneous tumors. Thus, TdT-positive and 20 alpha SDH-positive T-cell lymphomas can be distinguished by their homing properties. Preleukemic thymus cells from M-MuLV inoculated mice can, after transfer to 400 -R irradiated syngeneic hosts, induce new lymphomas by virus release or grow in an autonomous fashion in the recipients. Whether of donor or recipient type, these lymphomas are TdT-positive. In contrast, preleukemic bone marrow cells give lymphomas of donor type which are as heterogeneous for T-cell enzymes as are lymphomas induced by neonatal inoculation of M-MuLV.