This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hoshino, M. Articles by Dmochowski, L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hoshino, M. Articles by Dmochowski, L.

Electron Microscope Study of Antigens in Cells of Mouse Mammary Tumor Cell Lines by Peroxidase-labeled Antibodies in Sera of Mammary Tumor-bearing Mice and of Patients with Breast Cancer¹

Department of Virology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute at Houston, Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas 77025

Sera of C3H/Z/Dm mice bearing spontaneous mammary tumors, sera of apparently normal C3H/Z/Dm mice at different ages, and a serum of an A/Dm mouse with spontaneous breast cancer were tested by the indirect immunoperoxidase method against cells of C3H/HeJ spontaneous mammary tumor line constantly producing type B or mouse mammary tumor virus particles. The sera were also tested against cells of C3H/He/TEX spontaneous mammary tumor line producing no virus particles. Sera of C3H/Z/Dm and A/Dm tumor-bearing mice and serum of an apparently normal C3H/Z/Dm mouse gave peroxidase labeling of immature and mature type B or mouse mammary tumor virus particles and also of budding type B particles. No peroxidase labeling of intracytoplasmic type A virus particles was observed. In addition, peroxidase labeling of certain parts (presumably, antigen formation sites) of plasma membrane of the C3H/HeJ mammary tumor cells was seen. Absorption of the positive mouse sera with guinea pig kidney cells, C3H/Z/Dm mouse embryo cells, C3H/Z/Dm spontaneous mammary tumor cells, or with mammary tumor virus from milk of C3H/Z/Dm mice demonstrated that the immunoperoxidase reaction was due to specific antivirus antibodies. Positive sera failed to react with cells of the C3H/He/TEX mammary tumor line producing no virus particles.

A number of sera from patients with breast cancer and from their relatives were also tested by immunoperoxidase reaction against cells of the C3H/HeJ spontaneous mouse mammary tumor line. As in the case of positive mouse sera, some human sera gave peroxidase labeling of type B and budding virus particles. Absorption with suitable material (guinea pig kidney, sheep red blood cells, whole human embryo cells, breast tumor tissue homogenates, and a mouse mammary tumor virus preparation) demonstrated that the antibodies in human sera are specifically directed against mouse mammary tumor virus particles.

¹ This study was supported in part by Contract PH43-NCI-E-65-604 within the Special Virus Cancer Program and in part by Grants CA-05831 and RR-05511 of the National Cancer Institute, NIH, USPHS.

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed.

Received 5/14/73. Accepted 6/29/73.