Characterization of single-cell clonal lines derived from HSV-2-transformed mouse cells.

A BALB/c continuous cell line, 238, was transformed following infection with UV-inactivated herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) was designated H238. Several cell lines were derived from single cells of H238 by cloning in soft agar. The clonal lines express cytoplasmic antigens by immunofluorescence when reacted with rabbit HSV-2 antiserum and mouse tumor-bearer serum. The cloned cell lines induce tumors in immunocompetent mice by the subcutaneous route with a 100% incidence at an inoculum of 10(6) cells. These properties are consistent with those of the H238 parent cell line. In contrast to the parent line, however, the cloned cell lines do not elicit HSV neutralizing antibody in the tumor-bearing host.