CONTINUOUS LINES OF RSV-TRANSFORMED EMBRYO CELLS AND PERITONEAL MACROPHAGES OF JAPANESE QUAILS

Abstract
Four continuous lines of RSV[Rous sarcoma virus]-transformed quail cells were established. QERC-31F and QERC-31N cells were derived from quail embryo cells and PERP and PERY cells from adult quail peritoneal macrophages. A marked morphological difference was noted between QERC-31F and QERC-31N. The former showed a fusiform shape and the latter showed a nodular shape. PERP and PERY showed macrophage-like morphology with phagocytic capacity. All 4 cell lines contained gs antigen and gp 85. Production of transforming virus was found in QERC-31N, PERP and PERY. In spite of the failure in production of transforming virus, EQRC-31F produced C-type particles as demonstrated by EM and contained tumor-specific surface antigen by in vivo immunization and in vitro microcytotoxicity tests.