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Published on: October 12, 2018
Observations concerning a persisting infection of HeLa cells with poliomyelitis virus
Abstract:
A culture of HeLa cells has been subjected to prolonged observation with the finding that periodically Type III poliomyelitis virus could be isolated from it. A requirement of the culture for survival was the presence in it of serum of certain individuals who had had previous experience with poliomyelitis virus. In the presence of serum containing no antibodies to poliomyelitis virus, the culture demonstrated spontaneous cytopathology. From certain series of passages virus could be isolated while attempts were unsuccessful from others also showing cellular disintegration. The conclusion is reached that the virus does not persist in the culture always in a state exhibiting the infectious property, rather what persists is the potentiality of the culture to give rise to fully active virus. The immune serum could inhibit the cytopathogenic effect of the virus without eliminating the infection.
Insights
HeLa cell cultures periodically released Type III poliomyelitis virus, requiring immune serum for survival. The virus persisted as a potential, not always infectious, entity, with immune serum inhibiting cell damage without eradicating infection.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- HeLa cells are a widely used human cell line in biological research.
- Poliomyelitis virus poses a significant public health concern, necessitating understanding of its viral dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the persistence and behavior of Type III poliomyelitis virus in HeLa cell cultures.
- To determine the role of specific immune serum in the survival and viral activity within the cell culture.
Main Methods:
- Prolonged observation of HeLa cell cultures.
- Periodic isolation attempts for Type III poliomyelitis virus.
- Culturing cells in the presence of serum with and without poliomyelitis antibodies.
Main Results:
- Type III poliomyelitis virus was periodically isolated from HeLa cell cultures.
- Culture survival depended on the presence of serum from individuals with prior poliomyelitis exposure.
- Absence of specific antibodies in serum led to spontaneous cytopathology in cultures.
- Viral isolation was inconsistent across passages, even with observed cellular disintegration.
Conclusions:
- The poliomyelitis virus does not consistently maintain infectious properties within the HeLa cell culture.
- The culture harbors the potential to generate active virus, rather than a constant infectious state.
- Immune serum can mitigate the cytopathogenic effects of the virus without complete elimination of the infection.
