Inhibition of DNA metabolism in human B lymphocytes by a substrain of Epstein-Barr virus (P3HR-1): a method for virus quantitation.

Pretreatment with the P3HR-1 substrain of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) inhibited approximately 85% of the DNA stimulation induced by Staphylococcus aureus in human B lymphocytes. In parallel experiments, the DNA stimulation induced by the transforming B95-8 substrain of EBV was almost completely inhibited by prior exposure to P3HR-1 virus. Phytohemagglutinin stimulation was only slightly inhibited, whereas the DNA synthesis of continuously growing Raji cells was inhibited to a considerable extent. The degree of DNA inhibition was correlated with the induction of the EBV-determined antigens (membrane, early, and nuclear antigens) in sensitive indicator cells.