Interaction of the B95-8 and P3HR-1 substrains of epstein-barr virus (EBV) with peripheral human lymphocytes

Abstract

Two substrains of the Epstein‐Barr virus derived from the B95‐8 and P3HR‐1 cell lines were studied for their interaction with human peripheral lymphocytes. It has been previously shown that B95‐8 virus has and P3HR‐1 virus lacks lymphocyte‐transforming (“immortalizing”) properties. DNA stimulation induced by B95‐8 virus showed a good correlation with the number of surface Ig‐positive cells. P3HR‐1 virus added before B95‐8 virus completely abolished the stimulation of DNA synthesis. It also prevented EBNA induction by B95‐8 virus. P3HR‐1 virus added after B95‐8 virus diminished DNA stimulation by the latter in a time‐dependent fashion. P3HR‐1 virus did not inhibit DNA stimulation by phytohaemagglutinin but was inhibitory if added before a B‐cell mitogen (Staphylococcus Aureus). The origin of P3HR‐1 virus and its relationship to the transformation process are discussed.