Envelope Antigen Relationships among Three Hamster-specific Sarcoma Viruses and a Hamster-specific Helper Virus

SUMMARY The immunological relationships among three hamster-specific sarcoma viruses and a non-sarcomagenic virus were determined by neutralization and interference tests. These viruses were all derived from hamster tumours induced originally by murine sarcoma viruses but were no longer capable of growth on mouse cells. The four viruses shared at least one envelope antigen responsible for neutralization reactions. Specific interference for the sarcoma viruses was obtained in cultures infected with the non-sarcomagenic virus. In both assays these viruses were clearly distinguishable from murine C-type viruses.