Analysis of the transformation of human lymphocytes by Epstein-Barr virus III. Induction of early events by P3HR-1 strain without subsequent immortalization.

T-cell depleted human cord blood lymphocytes were exposed to P3HR-1 strain of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and simultaneous observations of immunofluorescence, cellular morphology, and autoradiography were carried out in individual cells. Soon after infection, nuclear antigen (EBNA) synthesis, blastogenesis, and DNA synthesis occurred, as was previously observed B95-8 strain EBV infection. Although mitosis followed with characteristic cell aggregate formation, the cell proliferation was temporary and death followed in about 2 weeks. The synthesis of the early antigens (EA) and the viral capsid antigen (VCA) were not significant. These findings seem to indicate that the strain P3HR-1 EBV is capable of inducing early events of transformation in primary human B-lymphocytes, but the cells infected in this way have a short life span.