Restricted replication of vesicular stomatitis virus in human lymphoblastoid cells

Replication of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is restricted in one human lymphoblastoid cell line (Raji), but not in another similar cell line (Wil-2), compared with growth in HeLa cells. This restriction is characterized by a low proportion of cells yielding infectious virus and is associated with limited production of 42S virion RNA. Primary transcription of 13S and 26S VSV-specific RNA is not restricted in Raji cells, and the 13S RNA produced contains adenylate-rich sequences. This suggests that the block in Raji cells involves some step required for the replication of virion RNA.