Nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line (C666-1) consistently harbouring Epstein-Barr virus

We have established a cell line (C666-1) from undifferentiated nasopharynge al carcinoma (NPC). This cell line consistently carries the Epstein-Barr vi rus (EBV) in long-term cultures. C666-1 is a subclone of its parental cell line, C666, derived from an NPC xenograft of southern Chinese origin. It gr ows as an adherent culture and lacks contact inhibition. In addition, it is tumorigenic in athymic nude mice. The cells consistently express EBV-encod ed RNAs and are positively stained for cytokeratin, an epithelial marker. I n addition, they express EBNA1 protein, LMP1 and LMP2 transcripts and thus resemble the EBV latency II pattern, The virus genotype is EBV-1 with the l atent membrane protein I gene showing a 30-bp deletion at the carboxyl term inus, both consistent with findings in southern Chinese NPC tumours, Cytoge netic analysis revealed a sub-diploid status with a chromosomal modal numbe r of 45. C666-1 is unique among NPC cell lines in that it carries EBV. Thes e cells may serve as a good investigative tool as the viral latency pattern and genotype are observed in the majority of primary NPC biopsies from Chi nese patients. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.