Establishment of a persistent measles virus infection in HEp-2 cells

A productive measles virus persistent infection has been established in HEp-2 cells. Greater than 90% of the persistently infected HEp-2 cells (H2MV) exhibited measles specific immunofluorescence and haemadsorption. Although most of the H2MV cells contained measles specific antigens, only a small percentage (less than 1%) actually produced infectious measles virus as determined by infectious centre assays. The measles virus produced by H2MV cells exhibited properties different from the initiating parent Edmonston strain virus, being reduced in virulence and also temperature sensitive for replication at 39 degrees C. The role of these altered virus properties in the establishment of persistence is considered.