Differences in EBV receptor concentration between in vitro EBV-converted lymphoma sublines reflect biological differences between the converting viral substrains.

We have compared the EBV-receptor concentration of two originally EBV-negative human B-cell lymphoma lines, after in vitro conversion with the transforming B95-8 or the cytopathic P3HR-1 EB-viral substrain, respectively, into permanent EBV-carrying sublines. Receptors were measured by the quantitative EBV-absorption bioassay of Sairenji and Hinuma (1973). EBV receptor concentration of all P3HR-1 virus-converted sublines was significantly reduced, in comparison with the B95-8 virus-converted sublines. This suggests that cells with a low receptor concentration are more likely to survive the initial infection with the P3HR-1 viral harvest. The results further confirm the biological differences between the two EBV substrains.