Epstein-Barr virus: transformation of non-human primate lymphocytes in vitro.

Abstract

AbstractContinuous lymphoblastoid cell cultures were established from marmoset (Saguinus sp.), squirrel (Saimiri sciureus), owl (Aotus trivirgatus) and cebus (Cebus apella) monkeys after culturing their peripheral lymphocytes with lethally X‐irradiated cells carrying Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV). Transformation also was achieved by exposing simian lymphocytes to infectious, cell‐free EBV derived from the simian lymphoblastoid cell cultures. Simian lymphocytes were not transformed after exposure to cell‐free EBV derived from HR‐1 cells. The simian cell cultures were similar to cell cultures derived from Burkitt's lymphoma or infectious mononucleosis patients. EBV‐induced early, viral capsid and membrane antigens, intranuclear inclusion bodies and herpesvirus virions were demonstrable in most cultures. Seven cultures were insusceptible to superinfection with EBV and treatment of the cultures with halogenated pyrimidines was relatively ineffective for inducing synthesis of early or viral capsid antigens. All cell cultures had B‐cell characteristics: they produced immunoglobulins but did not form spontaneous rosettes with sheep erythrocytes. Four of six marmoset monkeys, inoculated with EBV‐transformed marmoset lymphocytes, developed antibodies to EB viral capsid antigens and one marmoset inoculated with autochthonous transformed cells also developed heterophile antibodies. Seven marmosets, inoculated with cell‐free EBV derived from HR‐1 cell cultures, developed no detectable levels of antibodies to EBV‐specified antigens or heterophile antibodies. No overt clinical abnormalities were detected in any of the marmosets inoculated with HR‐1 or Kaplan EBV but one of five marmosets inoculated with B95hyphen;8 EBV developed a lymphoma.