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Variation in ability of measles virus plaque progeny to induce interferon
Abstract:
Plaque progeny of three interferon (IF)-inducing strains of measles virus (Edmonston, Schwarz, and CC) were examined for ability to induce IF in BSC-1 cells. Only after passage in Vero cells did any of the Edmonston progeny induce IF. The vast majority of plaque progeny selected from the Schwarz strain induced IF, even though this virus was originally derived from the Edmonston strain. This property was retained even after serial plaque purification of the progeny. However, the Schwarz-derived CC strain consisted of a population generally unable to induce IF. Stocks grown from both Edmonston and CC plaques demonstrating the IF+ phenotype maintained this characteristic as a whole, but it was not a property that was inherited by all progeny in the stocks. Levels of IF induced were approximately the same for all strains, even though the proportion of inducing progeny varied markedly among them. These noninducing variants appeared to be normal, fully infectious measles virions. The results suggest that induction of IF by measles virus is at least partially under the genetic control of the virus.
Insights
Measles virus strains show varied ability to induce interferon (IF). Viral genetic control influences IF induction, with some progeny strains exhibiting this property more than others.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Interferon (IF) induction is a key antiviral defense mechanism.
- Measles virus (MeV) is a significant human pathogen.
- Understanding MeV's interaction with the host immune system is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interferon (IF)-inducing capacity of different measles virus (MeV) strains.
- To determine if the ability to induce IF is a stable genetic trait in MeV.
- To explore the genetic basis of IF induction by MeV.
Main Methods:
- Assessing plaque progeny from Edmonston, Schwarz, and CC MeV strains for IF induction in BSC-1 cells.
- Passaging virus in Vero cells to evaluate IF induction.
- Serial plaque purification to analyze viral properties.
- Characterizing IF-inducing and non-inducing MeV variants.
Main Results:
- Edmonston strain progeny required passage in Vero cells to induce IF.
- A majority of Schwarz strain progeny induced IF, a trait maintained after plaque purification.
- The CC strain predominantly consisted of IF-non-inducing variants.
- While IF induction capacity varied among progeny, the levels of IF induced were comparable across strains.
- Non-inducing variants were infectious, suggesting they were not defective.
Conclusions:
- Interferon (IF) induction by measles virus (MeV) is influenced by viral genetics.
- MeV possesses genetic elements that control its ability to induce IF.
- Further research is needed to identify the specific viral genes responsible for IF induction.