Increased Oncogenicity and Synthesis of Herpesvirus Antigens in Hamster Cells Exposed to Herpes Simplex Type-2 Virus

Abstract

When cells of a continuous line derived from hamster embryo fibroblasts and oncogenic for hamsters were exposed to ultraviolet-irradiated herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), infectious virus and the development of persistently infected cultures resulted. The culture was freed of infectious HSV by addition of HSV antibody or by incubation of the cells at higher temperature. Either treatment permitted the isolation of cell lines (denoted TR cells) that carried HSV-associated antigens and possessed an increased oncogenic potential for hamsters. HSV-associated antigens in TR cells were deteded by demonstration of HSV-neutralizing antibody in hamsters bearing tumors induced by TR cells. The neutralizing antibody was specific for type 2. All attempts to induce infectious HSV formation have failed. The possibility, that the mechanisms restricting HSV infection in the persistently infected culture may be paralleled in vivo by host defense reactions, was discussed.