Transformation of hamster embryonic fibroblast cells by UV-irradiated human cytomegalovirus.

Infection of hamster embryonic fibroblast (HEF) cells with UV-irradiated human CMV resulted in appearance of transformed clones. The established cell line (87-TRH-5) when inoculated subcutaneously induced tumour in newborn hamsters. The 87-TRH-5 cell line and the cell lines (87-TRH-5-Tsc1, 87-TRH-5-Tsc2, 87TRH-5-Tsc3) developed from the induced tumour, proved to bear CMV-spcific cytoplasmic and surface antigens. Demonstration of infectious CMV or MCV-specific nuclear antigen in 87-THR-5-cells has failed.