Transformation of human cells by SV40 virus

Abstract

Fibroblast cultures were prepared from skin biopsies from 29 patients and tested for their susceptibility to transformation by simian virus SV40. Cells with a normal chromosome complement showed a mean transformation frequency of 25/106 cells but for cells from a single patient with Fanconi's anaemia, the value was 152/106 cells. An increased susceptibility to transformation was observed for cells from 6 patients with Down's syndrome 3 patients with trisomy 18, a patient with trisomy 18 for 5% of cells and a patient with trisomy 13. No increased susceptibility to transformation was found for cells with a chromosome complement of XO, XXY, XX/XX + 8, XX + partial 15q or XX + 9p. The susceptiability to transformation was related to susceptibility to SV40 virus infection, as measured by the number of infected cells which contained SV40 virus induced T antigen. This latter test was technically easier to perform and could serve to detect persons of increased susceptiability to transformation, since this may indicate an increased risk of natural malignant disease.