Transformation in vitro of glial hamster cells by Rous sarcoma virus.

Cell lines from the brains of inbred CF hamster embryos were established in vitro. The morphology of the cells in the light and electron microscopes was that of glial cells, and the cells contained the nervous system-specific protein S-100. Infection with the Schmidt-Ruppin strain of Rous sarcoma virus, subgroup B, resulted in foci of transformation. The transformed cells were virogenic and upon intracerebral and sc inoculations into young hamsters, they developed into histologically typical gliomas.