Can Rauscher leukemia virus transform hamster embryo cells into cells that produce tumors in hamsters?

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In an experimental study, hamster embryo cells were transformed in vitro by Rauscher leukemia virus (RLV). The cells first showed morphological changes 6 weeks after inoculation. Foci of transformed cells consisted largely of small, tightly packed, epithelioid cells.

The researchers subsequently established a rapidly growing transformed cell line and maintained it in culture for over 10 months through more than 45 passages. Throughout this time, the cultures yielded infectious virus and produced high titers of group-specific complement-fixing antigen characteristic of the murine leukemia-sarcoma virus complex. Cell-free supernatant fluids from the transformed cultures were infectious for mouse, rat, and hamster embryo cells.

When transformed cells were injected into hamsters, tumors developed. Cells derived from these tumors were reestablished in tissue culture. These tumor-derived cells also contained group-specific complement-fixing antigens and continuously released infectious virus, which was typed as RLV.

The study demonstrated that transformation of hamster embryo cells by RLV was reproducible in the same experimental system.