Comparison between growth characteristics of an Epstein Barr virus (EBV) genome negative lymphoma line and its EBV converted subline in vitro

The GC BJAB cell line, which carries the Epstein Barr virus (EBV), was derived from an EBV genome negative lymphoma line (BJAB) by EBV infection in vitro. Both lines grow at a similar rate at 37° but they differ at other temperatures. BJAB grows well at 34°, 37°, and 39°. GC BJAB grows at 37° and 39°, but grows poorly at 34°. At 37°, GC BJAB cultures can be maintained at the viable state for a long time after having reached saturation density (approximately 10⁶ cells per ml.) In contrast, BJAB cultures die very soon after having attained similar maximum density. Since the identity of the two cell lines has been critically established the remarkable differences in their growth properties must be attributed to the EBV genome.