Transformation of human cells by SV40 virus

Fibroblast cultures were prepared from skin biopsies from 29 patients and tested for their susceptibility to transformation by simian virus SV40. Cells with a normal chromosome complement showed a mean transformation frequency of 25/106 cells but for cells from a single patient with Fanconi's anaemia, the value was 152/106 cells. An increased susceptibility to transformation was observed for cells from 6 patients with Down's syndrome 3 patients with trisomy 18, a patient with trisomy 18 for 5% of cells and a patient with trisomy 13. No increased susceptibility to transformation was found for cells with a chromosome complement of XO, XXY, XX/XX + 8, XX + partial 15q or XX + 9p. The susceptiability to transformation was related to susceptibility to SV40 virus infection, as measured by the number of infected cells which contained SV40 virus induced T antigen. This latter test was technically easier to perform and could serve to detect persons of increased susceptiability to transformation, since this may indicate an increased risk of natural malignant disease.