The Trichoplusia ni cell line MSU-TnT4 does not harbor a latent nodavirus

MSU-TnT4 (TnT4) cells, a newly established Trichoplusia ni cell line, was examined for the presence of a latent nodavirus, as had been described for another T. ni cell line, BTI-TN-5B1-4 (Hi5) cells. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction using nodavirus-specific primers did not detect virus genomic RNA in TnT4 cells. Transmission electron microscopy of recombinant baculovirus-infected TnT4 cells showed no evidence of latent nodavirus activation. Nodavirus particles were not detected in density gradients of baculovirus-infected TnT4 cell lysates or cell supernatants. The same methods confirmed the presence of a latent nodavirus in Hi5 cells.