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Published on: November 8, 2011
Growth of measles virus in various human lymphoid cell lines
Abstract:
Neurovirulent TYCSA strain and attenuated Schwarz strain of measles virus and Halle strain of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) virus replicated in cultures of human lymphoid cell lines of the T-cell type, MOLT-3, MOLT-4 and CCRF-CEM. TYCSA and Halle strains grew rapidly, but Schwarz strain grew slowly in these cell lines. Furthermore, these three strains established persistent infection in CCRF-CEM cells but not in the other cell lines. In these persistently infected cultures an almost entire population of cells were shown to be infected and infectious virus was produced constantly for over 100 days. Cells persistently infected with Schwarz strain contained nucleocapsid structures in both the nucleus and cytoplasm and produced low titered infectious virus, whereas nucleocapsid structures were observed only in the cytoplasm of cells persistently infected with either TYCSA or Halle strain and the titers of infectious virus produced from these cells were high.
Insights
Measles virus strains TYCSA and Halle, and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis virus Halle strain, efficiently infected human T-cell lines. Persistent infections were established in CCRF-CEM cells, with varying viral replication and nucleocapsid localization.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Measles virus (MeV) can cause subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare but fatal neurological complication.
- Understanding the replication and persistence of different MeV strains in human lymphoid cells is crucial for vaccine development and disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the replication and persistence of neurovirulent TYCSA and attenuated Schwarz strains of measles virus, and the Halle strain of SSPE virus, in human T-cell lines.
- To characterize the differences in viral growth, persistent infection establishment, and intracellular nucleocapsid localization among these strains.
Main Methods:
- Culturing human T-cell lines (MOLT-3, MOLT-4, CCRF-CEM) with measles virus (TYCSA, Schwarz) and SSPE virus (Halle) strains.
- Monitoring viral replication rates and establishing persistent infections over 100 days.
- Analyzing infected cell populations and intracellular nucleocapsid structures using microscopy.
Main Results:
- TYCSA and Halle strains replicated rapidly in T-cell lines; Schwarz strain showed slower growth.
- Persistent infections were established in CCRF-CEM cells, with continuous infectious virus production for over 100 days.
- Schwarz strain-infected cells showed nucleocapsid structures in nucleus and cytoplasm with low viral titers, while TYCSA and Halle strains showed cytoplasmic localization with high viral titers.
Conclusions:
- CCRF-CEM cells are susceptible to persistent infection by measles virus and SSPE virus strains.
- Different measles virus strains exhibit distinct replication kinetics and intracellular behaviors, influencing viral shedding and potential pathogenesis.
- The findings provide insights into the cellular tropism and persistence mechanisms of measles virus and SSPE virus, relevant for understanding SSPE development.
