Oncogenic transformation of primary hamster cells by herpes simplex virus type 2 (hsv-2) and an hsv-2 temperature-sensitive mutant.

Six oncogenically transformed cell lines were obtained following infection of hamster embryo fibroblasts with UV-irradiated herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) or with an HSV-2 temperature-sensitive mutant. All lines produced undifferentiated fibrosarcomas in newborn hamsters, four of the six lines produced metastatic tumors in the lung, and sera from tumor-bearing hamsters contained neutralizing antibody to HSV-2. HSV-specific cell-surface antigen (s) was detected by immunogluorescence tests in all six of the lines established from primary tumors. Antibody to an early, HSV-specific, non-structural polypeptide (VP134) reacted by immunofluorescence with antigen(s) in fixed preparation of three of the six tumor-cell lines.