Mutations in the CXCR4 gene cause a population shift in the feline lymphoma cell line 3201 surviving feline immunodeficiency virus infection

The feline 3201-S cell line was established from original 3201 cell populations that survived productive infection of feline thymic lymphoma 3201 cells with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).  The 3201-S cells expressing a mutated CXCR4 are unresponsive to the CXCR4 ligand SDF-1α, and are refractory to FIV reinfection.  In this mini-review, possible mechanisms of how the 3201-S cells could restrict FIV infection and could not respond to SDF-1α are described and discussed.