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Published on: September 14, 2010
Persistent infection of K562 cells by encephalomyocarditis virus
I U Pardoe1, K K Grewal, M P Baldeh
1Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Canada.
Journal of Virology
|December 1, 1990
Summary
Encephalomyocarditis virus establishes persistent infections in K562 cells, unlike typical lytic infections. Evolved viruses show reduced plaque size and K562 cells develop resistance to superinfection, partly due to decreased virus attachment.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) typically causes lytic infections in susceptible cells.
- Persistent viral infections can arise from complex interactions between virus and host cells.
- K562 cells are a human erythroleukemic cell line often used in virological studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the establishment and characteristics of persistent encephalomyocarditis virus infections in K562 cells.
- To characterize the viral and cellular evolution during persistent infection.
- To determine the mechanisms underlying K562 cell resistance to superinfection.
Main Methods:
- Infection of K562 cells with EMCV to establish persistent cultures.
- Monitoring of cell viability (trypan blue staining) and virus production (plaque assay, hemagglutination titration) over time.
- Characterization of viral evolution through plaque size measurements.
- Cloning of persistently infected cells and assessment of superinfection resistance and viral attachment.
Main Results:
- EMCV established persistent infection in K562 cells, with delayed and incomplete initial cell lysis.
- Virus yield and cell staining fluctuated, with waves of increased virus production observed.
- Over 3 months, the virus evolved, showing a significant decrease in plaque size.
- Cloned K562 cells from persistent cultures exhibited resistance to superinfection, attributed partly to reduced viral attachment.
Conclusions:
- K562 cells can support persistent EMCV infection, deviating from the typical lytic pathway.
- Viral and cellular evolution, including reduced plaque size and superinfection resistance, are key features of this persistent infection model.
- Reduced virus attachment is a significant factor contributing to K562 cell resistance to superinfection in persistently infected cultures.
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