In vitro transformation of mouse bone marrow cells by the polycythemic strain of Friend leukemia virus.

Strains of Friend leukemia virus (FLV) that are associated with polycythemia contain the defective spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV). To determine whether the transforming ability of FLV was affected by the presence of this second agent, DBA/2J mouse bone marrow cells were infected in vitro. Criteria for transformation were the establishment of permanent lines, growth on semisolid agarose, and the production of tumors at the site of inoculation in syngeneic hosts. Two lines of immature hematopoietic cells that grow in suspension originated from the infected cultures. Each has an almost diploid karyotype (38-39 chromosomes) and 3-4 metacentric chromosomes. These transformed cells express gp71 viral envelope glycoprotein and p30 viral core protein antigens. Virus production was measured by reverse transcriptase (RNA-dependent DNA polymerase) activity of the virions released into the medium. The virus, assayed in vivo for infectivity, has SFFV activity but is attenuated for leukemogenicity. The stimulation of hemoglobin synthesis in the cells grown in medium supplemented with dimethyl sulfoxide or hexamethylene bisacetamide indicates that the cells are erythroid in origin. SFFV may have a function analogous to erythropoietin in influencing the process of transformation by FLV.