Stable infection of a bovine mammary epithelial cell line (MAC-T) with bovine leukemia virus (BLV)

Abstract

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is a retrovirus that affects cattle causing a lymphoproliferative disease. BLV infection has been associated with misbalance of the immune response causing a higher incidence of other infections. Mastitis is one of the most important conditions that affect milk production in cattle. The aim of this study was to stably infect a bovine mammary epithelial cell line (MAC-T). MAC-T cell line was successfully infected with BLV and the infection was confirmed by nested PCR, qPCR, immunocytochemistry, western blot and transmission electron microscopy. This is the first report of a bovine mammary epithelial cell line stably infected with BLV. This new cell line could be used as an in vitro model to study the effect of BLV on the immune response in the mammary gland and the relationship with other agents causing mastitis.