Studies of the EB virus‐related antigens of human leukocyte cell lines

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Abstract
The complement‐fixing (CF) antigens of five human leukocyte cell lines were studied. Three components were recognized in the EB virus‐rich QIMR‐WIL line. First, a virion component harvested from sucrose density gradients was resistant to heating at 56° C for 30 min. Second, a heat‐labile CF component detected was subviral but sedimentable at 70,000 × g for 2 h. Third, a heat‐resistant soluble CF antigen was present. In contrast to the QIMR‐WIL line, the virus‐free Raji line contained only the heat‐resistant soluble antigen. Labile CF antigen was also detected in the EB virus‐positive QIMR‐GOR line and in the QIMR‐STE and TFT‐1 lines in which the presence of EB virus was suggested by immunofluorescence tests. The presence in leukocyte cell lines of heat‐labile EB viral CF antigen is considered to be a useful indicator of active replication of EB virus. Evidence obtained suggested that naked virus was capable of transforming human leukocytes.