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Mutagenic virus replication in human tumor cells
Abstract:
Herpes simplex virus was grown in different lines of human tumor and normal cells. The progeny virus was assayed for resistance to iododeoxycytidine, an indicator of a forward mutation in the virus genome. Virus grown in cells from 4 of 5 tumor lines demonstrated greater fractions mutated to iododeoxycytidine resistance than did virus grown in 7 normal human skin cell lines. The data indicate that some lines of human tumor cells modify the herpesvirus replication process, making it more mutagenic. In 2 cases of osteosarcoma patients, normal skin fibroblasts of the patients yielded normal levels of mutagenesis, while their tumor cells gave enhanced mutagenesis.
Insights
Human tumor cells increase herpes simplex virus mutation rates. Virus grown in tumor cell lines showed higher iododeoxycytidine resistance, indicating increased mutagenicity compared to normal cells.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cancer Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common human pathogen.
- Understanding viral replication and mutation is crucial for disease control.
- Tumor cells may possess unique properties influencing viral behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mutagenic potential of herpes simplex virus replication in human tumor cells versus normal cells.
- To determine if human tumor cell lines enhance viral mutation rates.
Main Methods:
- Herpes simplex virus was cultured in various human tumor and normal cell lines.
- Progeny virus was tested for resistance to iododeoxycytidine, a marker for viral genome mutations.
- Mutation frequencies were compared between virus grown in tumor cells and normal cells.
Main Results:
- Virus propagated in 4 out of 5 human tumor cell lines exhibited significantly higher fractions of iododeoxycytidine resistance compared to virus grown in 7 normal human skin cell lines.
- In two osteosarcoma patient cases, tumor cells showed enhanced mutagenesis, while their normal skin fibroblasts did not.
- These findings suggest a mutagenic effect of certain tumor cell environments on herpes simplex virus.
Conclusions:
- Some human tumor cell lines can alter the herpesvirus replication process, leading to increased mutagenicity.
- This phenomenon may have implications for understanding virus-tumor interactions and potential therapeutic strategies.