NMR investigation of cell cultures: early detection of infection by Herpes simplex virus type 2 and transformation.

The water proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spin-lattice relaxation rates were measured in suspension of uninfected and Herpes simplex virus type 2-infected WI-38 diploid cells and shown to allow reliable detection of (i) the early signs of productive infection, and (ii) the tendency to undergo either spontaneous or virus-induced transformation. In addition, NMR investigation of several transformed cell lines currently and previously established from WI-38 cells clearly indicated that the NMR relaxation parameter is a suitable tool for assessment of the level of malignancy, as revealed by in vivo oncogenicity tests in immunosuppressed mice.