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Updated: Mar 28, 2026
Arbovirus Infections As Screening Tools for the Identification of Viral Immunomodulators and Host Antiviral Factors
Published on: September 13, 2018
Infection studies of nontarget mammalian cell lines with Bombyx mori macula-like virus
Katsuhisa Innami1, Takahiro Aizawa1, Toshihiro Tsukui2
1Department of Agrobiology and Bioresources, Faculty of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University, Mine-machi 350, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi 321-8505, Japan.
Abstract:
Bombyx mori-derived cell lines are generally used for Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV)-based baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS). However, almost all of the B. mori-derived cell lines are persistently infected with Bombyx mori macula-like virus (BmMLV). In this study, nontarget mammalian cell lines were exposed to BmMLV, and their susceptibility was investigated. Real-time PCR showed that viral RNA in virus-inoculated nine mammalian cell lines decreased sharply at 7 days postinfection. Also, there was no significant effect on cell viability of mammalian cells after inoculation with BmMLV. These findings indicate that mammalian cell lines used in this study are not permissive to BmMLV, and BmMLV contamination might not affect the safety aspect of BmNPV-based BEVS.
Insights
Mammalian cell lines are not susceptible to Bombyx mori macula-like virus (BmMLV), a common contaminant in Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) expression systems. This suggests BmMLV contamination does not compromise the safety of BmNPV-based baculovirus expression vector systems.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Bombyx mori-derived cell lines are standard for Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV)-based baculovirus expression vector systems (BEVS).
- Most B. mori cell lines are persistently infected with Bombyx mori macula-like virus (BmMLV), raising safety concerns for BEVS.
- Investigating BmMLV susceptibility in non-target cell lines is crucial for assessing BEVS safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the susceptibility of mammalian cell lines to Bombyx mori macula-like virus (BmMLV).
- To evaluate the impact of BmMLV infection on mammalian cell viability.
- To assess the safety implications of BmMLV contamination in Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV)-based BEVS.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of nine distinct mammalian cell lines to BmMLV.
- Quantification of viral RNA using real-time PCR at 7 days post-infection.
- Assessment of cell viability using standard assays.
Main Results:
- Real-time PCR revealed a sharp decrease in viral RNA in all inoculated mammalian cell lines by day 7.
- No significant adverse effects on the viability of mammalian cells were observed post-BmMLV inoculation.
- Mammalian cell lines demonstrated resistance to BmMLV replication.
Conclusions:
- Mammalian cell lines are non-permissive to Bombyx mori macula-like virus (BmMLV).
- BmMLV contamination in Bombyx mori-derived cell lines does not appear to pose a safety risk to Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV)-based BEVS.
- The findings support the continued use of BmNPV-based BEVS with potentially contaminated B. mori cell lines.
