Induction of simian virus 40 transplantation immunity in hamster by gel-purified SV40 large T antigen

Simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen and p53 cellular protein were isolated from an SV40-transformed hamster cell line by immunoprecipitation with anti-T sera and purified by sodium dodecyl sulfate—gel electrophoresis. These two protein were tested in hamsters for the presence of SV40 transplantation rejection antigenic sites by in vivo transplantation rejection assay. The large T antigen immunized the hamsters against a challenge of SV40 tumor cells and the protected animals generated cytotoxic spleen cells. Hamsters immunized with the p53 cellular protein were not protected against SV40-induced tumor but there was some delay in the appearance of tumor.