Neoplastic transformation of hamster brain cells in vitro by polyoma virus.

The transformation of cultivated hamster brain cells by polyoma virus is reported. The transformed cell line contained polyoma virus-specific nuclear, surface and transplantation antigens. Subcutaneous and intracranial inoculations revealed high tumorigenicity of the cells. Brain-specific S 100 protein was found in these tumors with immuno-peroxidase staining, suggesting that they were of a nervous nature. Both in vivo and in vitro, the cells had glial features as studied by phase contrast, light and electron microscopy. Type-H virus-like particles were found in the tumor cells and might have played a role in the viral transformation.