Neoplastic transformation of hamster brain cells in vitro by polyoma virus

Abstract

The transformation of cultivated hamster brain cells by polyoma virus is reported. The transformed cell line contained polyoma virus-specific nuclear, surface and transplantation antigens. Subcutaneous and intracranial inoculations revealed high tumorigenicity of the cells. Brain-specific S 100 protein was found in these tumors with immuno-peroxidase staining, suggesting that they were of a nervous nature. Both in vivo and in vitro, the cells had glial features as studied by phase contrast, light and electron microscopy. Type-H virus-like particles were found in the tumor cells and might have played a role in the viral transformation.