Transforming activity and antigenicity of an Epstein-Barr-like virus from lymphoblastoid cell lines of baboons with lymphoid disease.

Two lymphoblastoid cell lines were established from baboons with lymphoid disease. Cells of these lines were positive for complement and Fc receptors but lacked sheep cell receptors, theraby indicating B-cell origin. The cells contained antigens which cross-reacted with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), viral capsid antigen (VCA), early antigen (EA) and membrane antigen (MA). Both lines released virus with in vitro transforming activity for lymphocytes of several primate species including humans. Cells of the original lines and transformed cells showed no staining for EB nuclear antigen (EBNA). The virus was neutralized by anti-MA positive baboon and human sera. Baboon virus and EBV had different but overlapping in vitro host-cell ranges.