Retinoid-induced growth inhibition of herpesvirus-transformed marmoset lymphoblastoid cell lines

The in vitro proliferation of herpesvirus-transformed marmoset lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) was inhibited by retinoic acid and retinyl acetate. Both Herpesvirus-ateles-and Herpesvirus-saimiri-transformed LCL with T-cell characteristics and Epstein-Barr-transformed LCL with B-cell markers were more sensitive to retinoic acid than to retinyl acetate. Inhibition of LCL proliferation was dependent on retinoid concentration and became apparent only after 3-4 days of exposure. In vitro assays for marmoset LCL sensitivity to retinoids may indicate the potential usefulness of these compounds in the chemoprevention of virus-induced lymphoma in vivo.