Characterization of single-cell clonal lines derived from HSV-2-transformed mouse cells

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Virology
• Immunology

Background:

• Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) can transform mammalian cells.
• Continuous cell lines derived from HSV-2 infected cells are valuable tools for cancer research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize cloned cell lines derived from an HSV-2 transformed cell line (H238).
• To assess the tumor-inducing potential and immunogenicity of these cloned cell lines in vivo.

Main Methods:

• Cell culture and soft agar cloning techniques were used to derive clonal cell lines from H238.
• Immunofluorescence assays were performed to detect cytoplasmic antigens using specific antisera.
• Tumorigenicity was evaluated by subcutaneous inoculation of cloned cells into immunocompetent mice.
• Humoral immune response was assessed by measuring HSV-neutralizing antibodies in tumor-bearing hosts.

Main Results:

• Cloned cell lines derived from H238 expressed cytoplasmic antigens reactive with HSV-2 antiserum.
• All cloned cell lines induced tumors in mice with 100% incidence at an inoculum of 10(6) cells.
• Unlike the parent H238 line, the cloned cell lines failed to elicit HSV-neutralizing antibodies in tumor-bearing mice.

Conclusions:

• Cloned cell lines derived from HSV-2 transformed cells retain tumorigenic properties.
• These cloned cell lines represent a valuable model for studying HSV-2 induced oncogenesis and immune evasion mechanisms.
• The inability of cloned lines to elicit neutralizing antibodies suggests a potential role for viral antigens in immune evasion during tumor development.