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Biological Characterization of an Epstein-Barr Nuclear Antigen-positive American Burkitt's Tumor-derived Cell Line¹

National Cancer Institute Frederick Cancer Research Center, Frederick, Md. 21701 [E. A. H., L. J. C., J. E. E.], and Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, D. C. 20057 [M. J. T.]

Two distinct cultures derived from a lymphoid cell line designated NAB were characterized immunologically, morphologically, and cytogenetically. Both cultures were positive for Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen. NAB I cultures were negative for virus capsid antigen and early antigen and were not affected by treatment with 5-iododeoxyuridine. NAB II cultures were positive for virus capsid antigen and early antigen, which increased with 5-iododeoxyuridine treatment. Both cultures were superinfected with virus prepared from P3HR-1 cells. Cell-free virus concentrates prepared from both cultures were inactive for transformation and infectivity.

NAB I and NAB II cells were lymphoid as determined by light and electron microscopy. NAB II cells showed morphological alterations characteristic of herpes infection. 5-lododeoxyuridine-treated cells from both cultures revealed ultrastructural characteristics of cells infected with herpes-viruses but without virus particles. In addition, the induction of tubuloreticular structures within the endoplasmic reticulum was observed.

Cytogenetic analysis of both cultures revealed a rear-ranged chromosome 14 and several other chromosome aberrations, three of which may be used as a reliable means of identifying NAB cultures.

¹ Research sponsored by the National Cancer Institute under Contract NO1-CO-25423 with Litton Bionetics, Inc.

² Present address: University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, 660 W. Redwood St., Baltimore, Md. 21201. To whom requests for reprints should be addressed.

Received 2/16/77. Accepted 9/20/77.