Continuous lines of RSV-transformed embryo cells and peritoneal macrophages of Japanese quails.

Four continuous lines of RSV-transformed quail cells were established; QERC-31F and QERC-31N cells derived from quail embryo cells and PERP and PERY cells from adult quail peritoneal macrophages. Marked morphological difference was noted between QERC-31F and QERC-31N; the former showed fusiform shape and the latter nodular shape. Both PERP and PERY showed macrophage-like morphology with phagocytic capacity. All four cell lines contained gs antigen and gp 85. Production of transforming virus was found in QERC-31N, PERP and PERY. In spite of failure in production of transforming virus, EQRC-31F was demonstrated to produce C-type particles by electron microscopy and to contain tumor-specific surface antigen by in vivo immunization and in vitro microcytotoxicity tests.