In vitro transforming activity of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). II. Differences between M81 and B95-8 EBV strains.

Lymphocytes from 38 human cord blood and 9 adult circulating blood were aliquoted and infected in parallel either with the B95-8 EBV strain (produced by cotton-top marmoset lymphocytes transformed by EBV originating from an infectious mononucleosis line) or with the M81 EB virus (produced by callithrix jacchus marmoset lymphocytes transformed by EBV originating from a nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) derived line). Significant differences were observed in the lymphoblastoid lines obtained and involved cell morphology, cell growth and synthesis of viral antigen. Cord blood lymphocytes infected with M81 virus resulted in lymphoblastoid lines where EA and VCA synthesis and production of virions took place, whereas this was not observed in B95-8 induced lines.