Abstract: The present invention features an isolated, intact virus associated with human lymphoma, and originally isolated from a mantle cell lymphoma, referred to herein as a mantle histiocyte retrovirus (MHRV). The invention also features compositions and methods for detecting MHRV, as well as methods and compositions for propagating MHRV in vitro, screening for anti-MHRV agents, and generation of attenuated MHRV strains.

Abstract: The present invention features an isolated, intact virus associated with human lymphoma, and originally isolated from a mantle cell lymphoma, referred to herein as a mantle histiocyte retrovirus (MHRV). The invention also features compositions and methods for detecting MHRV, as well as methods and compositions for propagating MHRV in vitro, screening for anti-MHRV agents, and generation of attenuated MHRV strains.

Abstract: The present invention features an isolated, intact virus associated with human lymphoma, and originally isolated from a mantle cell lymphoma, referred to herein as a mantle histiocyte retrovirus (MHRV). The invention also features compositions and methods for detecting MHRV, as well as methods and compositions for propagating MHRV in vitro, screening for anti-MHRV agents, and generation of attenuated MHRV strains.

Abstract: The presence of clonal macrophages in pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue represents an early stage of the disease in which clonal expansion of macrophages occurs due to HIV integration or other genetic mutation. Clonally expanded macrophages induce proliferation of surrounding tissue leading to cancerous tumor growth. The invention provides methods and kits for diagnosis of HIV- and non-HIV-associated clonal expansion of macrophages in pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue. The invention also provides methods for the treatment of cancers induced by clonal macrophage expansion and proliferation of surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A human lymphoma cell line containing a human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) capable of in vitro growth and which produces HHV-8 virus particles upon induction of lytic viral growth is provided. Virus produced by the cell line of the invention is useful for the production of antibodies to an HHV-8 virus particle, viral protein, or viral peptide. Methods of screening a biological sample for the presence of HHV-8 virus particles, viral protein, or viral peptide from a human suspected of being infected with HHV-8 are provided as are methods of screening a biological sample of the human for antibodies to HHV-8.

Abstract: The presence of clonal macrophages in pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue represents an early stage of the disease in which clonal expansion of macrophages occurs due to HIV integration or other genetic mutation. Clonally expanded macrophages induce proliferation of surrounding tissue leading to cancerous tumor growth. The invention provides methods and kits for diagnosis of HIV- and non-HIV-associated clonal expansion of macrophages in pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue. The invention also provides methods for the treatment of cancers induced by clonal macrophage expansion and proliferation of surrounding tissue.

Abstract: The presence of clonal macrophages in pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue represents an early stage of the disease in which clonal expansion of macrophages occurs due to HIV integration or other genetic mutation. Clonally expanded macrophages induce proliferation of surrounding tissue leading to cancerous tumor growth. The invention provides methods and kits for diagnosis of HIV- and non-HIV-associated clonal expansion of macrophages in pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue and other cell proliferative diseased tissue. The invention also provides methods for the treatment of cell proliferative diseases induced by clonal macrophage expansion and proliferation of surrounding tissue.

Abstract: The presence of clonal macrophages in pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue represents an early stage of the disease in which clonal expansion of macrophages occurs due to HIV integration or other genetic mutation. Clonally expanded macrophages induce proliferation of surrounding tissue leading to cancerous tumor growth. The invention provides methods and kits for diagnosis of HIV- and non-HIV-associated clonal expansion of macrophages in pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue. The invention also provides methods for the treatment of cancers induced by clonal macrophage expansion and proliferation of surrounding tissue.