Differences in Susceptibility of Human Cells to Mouse Sarcoma Virus

Summary

Eighteen different human cell strains and lines were transformed by rat-cell-adapted Kirsten mouse sarcoma virus. The change in morphology was focal and could be quantitatively evaluated. The susceptibility of individual strains to transformation varied more than 300-fold. In general, more susceptible cell strains were found among those derived from individuals with neoplasia and genetic or chromosomal abnormalities than those derived from “normal” individuals and fetuses. Virus released from human cells infected with, and transformed by, mouse sarcoma virus induced foci when assayed on rat cells.