Establishment of EBNA-expressing cell lines by infection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-genome-negative human lymphoma cells with different EBV strains

✍ Scribed by K. O. Fresen; H. Zur Hausen

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1976
• Tongue: French
• Weight: 547 KB
• Volume: 17
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0020-7136
• DOI: 10.1002/ijc.2910170203

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Cells of two EBNA (Epstein‐Barr virus nuclear antigen)‐negative human lymphoma cell lines, BJAB and RAMOS, were infected with two strains of Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV). In two different experiments, B95‐8 virus‐infected BJAB cells revealed a gradually increasing number of EBNA‐positive cells. Twenty weeks after infection almost 100% of the cell population expressed this antigen. In contrast, it has not so far been possible to convert RAMOS cells into an EBNA‐positive cell line. The initial proportion of 35% EBNA‐positive cells declined to about 10% 20 weeks after infection. The development of EBNA‐positive multinuclear giant cells was a characteristic feature of infection with B95‐8 virus. EA (early antigen) and VCA (virus capsid antigen) appeared in less than 0.1% of the cell population after induction with IUdR only. Infection of BJAB and RAMOS cells with P3HR‐1 virus finally resulted in both cases in EBNA‐positive lines. In contrast to B95‐8 virus, the number of EBNA‐positive cells remained below 1% during the first 6 to 8 weeks. A sudden increase occurred thereafter, bringing the number of EBNA‐expressing cells to almost 100% within the following 4 weeks. During this period, BJAB but not RAMOS cells revealed a small number of EA‐ as well as VCA‐positive cells (<0.1%). Thus, reinfection by spontaneously released virus may explain the sudden increase in EBNA‐positive BJAB cells. Two distinct patterns of EBNA staining in P3HR‐1 virus‐infected cells were observed. They may suggest a genetic heterogeneity of this virus preparation.