[Malignant transformation of newborn hamster cells by herpes simplex virus type 2]

The oncogenic potentials of HSV-2 inactivated by ultraviolet rays in newborn hamster cell culture were studied. Virus-induced morphological and malignant transformation of cells was accompanied by synthesis of virus-specific antigen, changes in morphology, formation of colonies in semi-liquid agar, and tumorigenicity of cells. The animals bearing tumors induced by transformed cells showed humoral and cellular immune responses to the virus-specific antigen. Lines of transformed and tumor cells were obtained and established in passages.