Friend virus
Encyclopedia
The Friend virus is a strain of murine leukemia virus
identified by Charlotte Friend
in 1956. The virus infects adult immunocompetent mice and is a well-established model for studying genetic resistance to infection
by an immunosuppressive
retrovirus
. The Friend virus has been used for both immunotherapy and vaccines. It is a member of the retroviridae group of viruses, with its nucleic acid
being ssRNA.
es, viral proteins, peptides, and recombinant vaccinia vectors expressing the Friend virus gene. In a study of vaccinated mice, it was possible to identify the immunological epitopes required for protection against the virus, thus determining the types of immunological responses necessary or required for protection against it. The research discovered protective epitopes that were localized to F-MuLV gag and env proteins. This was achieved using recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing the 74 and 76 genes of FV.
of interest is the Rfv-3 gene, which cause susceptibility to suppression of the FV specific anitbody response. The greater understanding by which the mechanisms work may aid in the development of immunotherapies and vaccines that may be applicable to human diseases.
Murine leukemia virus
The murine leukemia viruses are retroviruses named for their ability to cause cancer in murine hosts. Some MLVs may infect other vertebrates. MLVs include both exogenous and endogenous viruses...
identified by Charlotte Friend
Charlotte Friend
Charlotte Friend was an American virologist. She is best known for her discovery of the Friend Leukemia Virus and Friend erythroleukemia cells alongside Etienne de Harven. Charlotte Friend was a leading virologist who discovered viral leukemia...
in 1956. The virus infects adult immunocompetent mice and is a well-established model for studying genetic resistance to infection
Infection
An infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...
by an immunosuppressive
Immunosuppression
Immunosuppression involves an act that reduces the activation or efficacy of the immune system. Some portions of the immune system itself have immuno-suppressive effects on other parts of the immune system, and immunosuppression may occur as an adverse reaction to treatment of other...
retrovirus
Retrovirus
A retrovirus is an RNA virus that is duplicated in a host cell using the reverse transcriptase enzyme to produce DNA from its RNA genome. The DNA is then incorporated into the host's genome by an integrase enzyme. The virus thereafter replicates as part of the host cell's DNA...
. The Friend virus has been used for both immunotherapy and vaccines. It is a member of the retroviridae group of viruses, with its nucleic acid
Nucleic acid
Nucleic acids are biological molecules essential for life, and include DNA and RNA . Together with proteins, nucleic acids make up the most important macromolecules; each is found in abundance in all living things, where they function in encoding, transmitting and expressing genetic information...
being ssRNA.
Vaccination
Experiments have shown that it is possible to protect against Friend virus infection with several types of vaccines, including attenuated virusAttenuated virus
An attenuated vaccine is a vaccine created by reducing the virulence of a pathogen, but still keeping it viable . Attenuation takes an infectious agent and alters it so that it becomes harmless or less virulent. These vaccines contrast to those produced by "killing" the virus .-Examples:Examples of...
es, viral proteins, peptides, and recombinant vaccinia vectors expressing the Friend virus gene. In a study of vaccinated mice, it was possible to identify the immunological epitopes required for protection against the virus, thus determining the types of immunological responses necessary or required for protection against it. The research discovered protective epitopes that were localized to F-MuLV gag and env proteins. This was achieved using recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing the 74 and 76 genes of FV.
Implications
Friend virus models showed valuable information regarding genetic resistance to retroviral disease. A particular geneGene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
of interest is the Rfv-3 gene, which cause susceptibility to suppression of the FV specific anitbody response. The greater understanding by which the mechanisms work may aid in the development of immunotherapies and vaccines that may be applicable to human diseases.