# LYMPHOTROPIC HERPESVIRUS OF COTTONTAIL RABBITS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · 1988 · $135,683

## Abstract

Herpesvirus sylvilagus infection of cottontail rabbits results in a
lymphoproliferative disease characterized by leukocytosis, splenomegaly,
apparent T-cell proliferation, and the presence of permissively infected
lymphocytes.  In addition, viral genomes can be detected in lymphocytes in
a circular form.  This virus reportedly induces a lymphoma in the
cottontail rabbit which is the only known host for this agent.  We intend
to study the virological and immunological events during H. sylvilagus
infection in the cottontail rabbit.  Using virus molecular probes, we will
examine the virus-lymphocyte relationship including:

(1) the use of H. sylvilagus molecular probes for detection of viral genomes

(2) identification of lymphocytes permissively and latently infected during
the course of infection

(3) In vitro infection and transformation of lymphoid cells by H. sylvilagus

(4) identification and characterization of the lymphoproliferative disorder
which occurs following infection with H. sylvilagus.

Immunological studies will include:

(1) development of H. sylvilagus specific humoral antibodies

(2) B cell activation

(3) non-specific cytotoxic activity

(4) major histocompatibility virus restricted cytotoxic T cell responses.

These studies should provide useful information about the early events of a
lymphotropic herpesvirus infection.  The role of latent viral genome in
disease manifestation and the immunological mechanisms responsible for host
recovery will be investigated.  These studies will determine if H.
sylvilagus infection is an appropriate model for human lymphotropic herpes
virus induced diseases.  Such a model will be important for future
investigation of immune mechanisms and antiviral chemotherapy as a means to
control herpesvirus induced lymphoproliferative disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3178925
- **Project number:** 5R01CA039653-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER
- **SAM.gov UEI:** MQE2JHHJW9Q8
- **Principal Investigator:** JOHN Lewis SULLIVAN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $135,683
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-03-01 → 1989-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3178925

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3178925, LYMPHOTROPIC HERPESVIRUS OF COTTONTAIL RABBITS (5R01CA039653-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3178925. Licensed CC0.

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