In vitro Transformation of Hamster Kidney Cells by Human Adenovirus Type 12.

Abstract

Summary In vitro transformation by human adenovirus type 12 of cells derived from newborn hamster kidneys is described. Such transformation was obtained in 3 different types of kidney cell cultures: trypsinized cells, tissue fragments in plasma clots, and tissue fragments separated from the culture medium by a continuous cellophane membrane. This transformation included morphological alteration of the cells, recovery of the ability to divide, and development of an adenovirus type 12 specific complement-fixing antigen without the presence of detectable infectious virus. The transformed cells did not react with SV-40 specific fluorescein tagged antibodies. The malignant potential of these cells in vivo is under test. It is anticipated that the procedures employed in these experiments will offer new prospects for the study of human viral oncogenesis. The authors gratefully acknowledge the encouragement and suggestions of Dr. Edwin H. Lennette throughout this work.