Productive Epstein-Barr viral infection of the human lymphoblastoid cell line 6410 with release of early antigen inducing and transforming virus

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Abstract
The human lymphoblastoid cell line 6410 was superinfected with P3HR‐1 derived Epstein‐Barr virus. Subsequent to the first cycle of infection, characterized by early (EA) and virus capsid (VCA) antigen synthesis, the culture, designated 6410‐EBV, continued to synthesize VCA. Further immunofluorescence and electron microscopic examination over 18‐24 months showed the 6410‐EBV culture to be productively infected with EBV. Virus was recovered, in quantity, from the culture fluids and assayed for ability to induce EA synthesis in Raji cells and to transform human umbilical cord lymphocytes. The virus was found to possess both properties, in contrast to P3HR‐1 virus which only induces EA. HLA and karyologic analyses of P3HR‐1, 6410 and 6410‐EBV cultures showed relatedness of 6410‐EBV to 6410 cells and dissimilarity to P3HR‐1. The biologic activity data coupled with the cytologic analyses confirm a productive infection of the target cells. The reason for differences in biologic activity between the infecting (P3HR‐1) and progeny virus is unresolved. It may be speculated that the endogenous EBV genome of 6410 cells was activated and gave rise to a different strain of EBV or to a mixed progeny‐parent population as a result of dual infection. Alternatively, the parent strain of virus may have been modified as a result of interaction with the new host cell.