Interleukin-4 up-regulates mouse mammary tumor virus expression yet is not required for in vivo virus spread

J Virol. 2001 Dec;75(23):11886-90. doi: 10.1128/JVI.75.23.11886-11890.2001.

Abstract

The mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) superantigen induces T-cell production of cytokines, such as interleukin-4, which in turn increase MMTV transcription. However, interleukin-4 is not required for in vivo virus spread, because mice lacking interleukin-4 or the STAT6 transcription factor showed wild-type infection of lymphoid and mammary tissue. In spite of this, mammary tumor incidence was decreased in STAT6 null mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Interleukin-4 / physiology*
  • Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse / genetics
  • Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Mice, Knockout
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / physiology
  • Up-Regulation / physiology*

Substances

  • STAT6 Transcription Factor
  • Stat6 protein, mouse
  • Trans-Activators
  • Interleukin-4