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An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
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Establishment of respiratory syncytial virus persistence in cell lines: association with defective interfering

Mirza Romero Valdovinos1, Beatríz Gómez

  • 1Departmento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina Universidad Nactional Autónoma de México, México, México.

Intervirology
|July 18, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Defective interfering particles (DIP) are crucial for establishing persistent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in human cell lines. These persistent cultures resist superinfection and maintain stable viral presence without causing cell damage.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Defective interfering particles (DIP) are known to influence viral persistence in vitro.
  • The role of DIP in establishing persistent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in cell lines remained undocumented.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of DIP in the establishment of RSV persistence in human epithelial cell lines.
  • To document the characteristics of RSV persistence mediated by DIP.

Main Methods:

  • Infection of HEp-2 and H358 cell lines with RSV enriched with DIP.
  • Long-term culture and monitoring of infected cells for viral persistence, cytopathic effects, and superinfection resistance.
  • Characterization of viral and DIP yields during passages.
  • Establishment of persistence in H358 cells using a specific buoyant density band.

Main Results:

  • RSV persistence was stably established in HEp-2 and H358 cells for over 3 years without cytopathic effect or crises.
  • Persistent cultures demonstrated resistance to superinfection with the original virus.
  • Low levels of infectious RSV and defined DIP species were produced during passages, with viral antigen detected in 80-90% of cells.
  • DIP were found to be required for establishing RSV persistence, but could not establish it alone.

Conclusions:

  • DIP are essential for the establishment of persistent respiratory syncytial virus cultures in human epithelial cell lines.
  • RSV persistence mediated by DIP is stable and does not induce significant cell damage or cyclic variations.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms of DIP-mediated viral persistence.

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