RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Johannessen, Ingolfur A1 Perera, Sunimali M. A1 Gallagher, Alice A1 Hopwood, Paul A. A1 Thomas, J. Alero A1 Crawford, Dorothy H.YR 2002 T1 Expansion in scid mice of Epstein–Barr virus-associated post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disease biopsy material JF Journal of General Virology, VO 83 IS 1 SP 173 OP 178 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/0022-1317-83-1-173 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1465-2099, AB Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) biopsy material is rarely available in adequate quantity for research. Therefore, the present study was designed to expand biopsy material in scid mice. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)+ve PTLD samples from five transplant patients were established in scid mice. PCR analysis of immunoglobulin gene rearrangements demonstrated that four of the five biopsies (80%) gave rise to scid tumours which represented the original tumour cell clones. Immunophenotyping showed that these four biopsies (and all scid tumours) expressed all EBV latent genes and a B lymphoblast phenotype; ≤26% T cells were found in the biopsy material whereas scid tumours showed a paucity of T lymphocytes. RT–PCR analysis revealed expression of IL-2, -4, -6, -10 and IFN-γ in all tumour material, suggesting key roles for these factors in tumour growth. The results show that EBV+ve PTLD material can be expanded in scid mice giving rise to quantities of homogeneous malignant tissue sufficient for research studies., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/0022-1317-83-1-173