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Comparative Replication of Lymantria dispar Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus Strains in Three Continuous-Culture Cell Lines
D E Lynn1, E M Dougherty, J T McClintock
1Insect Pathology Laboratory, BARC-West, Building 011A, Room 214, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland 20705.
Abstract:
We compared the replication of the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) nuclear polyhedrosis virus in two new cell lines, from embryos and fat body of L. dispar, and in a previously available ovarian cell line. Three virus isolates (the Hamden strain [LDP-67] used commercially as GYPCHEK, a plaque-purified clone of Hamden [5-7d], and an isolate from Abington, Mass. [Ab]) were each tested on the three cell lines. The fat-body-derived cell line proved best in terms of occlusion body production for all three virus strains, with the highest yield produced by the Abington strain. On the basis of these results, we conclude that a more efficient in vitro production of gypsy moth virus can be obtained by using the fat body cell line in conjunction with the Abington strain of the virus.
Insights
Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) nuclear polyhedrosis virus replication was compared across cell lines. The fat body cell line demonstrated superior occlusion body production, especially with the Abington strain, for efficient in vitro virus production.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) nuclear polyhedrosis virus is a key biological control agent.
- Optimizing in vitro virus production is crucial for effective pest management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare the replication efficiency of gypsy moth nuclear polyhedrosis virus in newly developed embryonic and fat body cell lines against a pre-existing ovarian cell line.
- To identify the optimal cell line and virus strain combination for enhanced in vitro production of gypsy moth virus.
Main Methods:
- Three distinct gypsy moth virus isolates (Hamden strain [LDP-67], a plaque-purified clone [5-7d], and the Abington strain [Ab]) were inoculated into three L. dispar cell lines (embryonic, fat body, and ovarian).
- Replication efficiency was assessed by quantifying occlusion body production for each virus-host cell combination.
Main Results:
- The fat body-derived cell line exhibited superior occlusion body production across all tested gypsy moth virus strains.
- The Abington strain of the virus yielded the highest production of occlusion bodies when cultured in the fat body cell line.
Conclusions:
- The fat body cell line is the most effective substrate for in vitro replication of gypsy moth nuclear polyhedrosis virus.
- Combining the fat body cell line with the Abington virus strain offers a more efficient method for producing gypsy moth virus in vitro.
