Abstract
The cytogenesis of BK virus-transformed hamster brain cells (HBBK cells) was studied. HBBK cells with indistinct processes showed a tendency to epithelial arrangement as well as characteristics of malignant or immature tumor cells in vitro. They developed long, delicate processes forming tree-like networks and were transformed into mature glia-like cells by the addition of c-AMP into the culture medium. Glial fibrillary acidic protein was demonstrated by immunofluorescent staining in the cytoplasm of almost all HBBK cells. The tumors arising in hamsters after subcutaneous inoculation of HBBK cells resembled human immature neuroectodermal tumors such as medulloblastoma, ependymoblastoma or glioblastoma, and were classified as poorly differentiated gliomas from their cytomorphological characteristics.
This study suggested a selective transformation of glial cells in hamster brain cell cultures by BK virus or an affinity of BK virus for glial cells.
