Persistent infection of BHK-21 cells with pneumonia virus of mice

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Cell Biology
• Immunology

Background:

• Pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) is a significant respiratory pathogen.
• Persistent viral infections can alter host cell characteristics and immune responses.
• BHK-21 cells are a commonly used cell line in virology research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the characteristics of BHK-21 cells persistently infected with PVM.
• To determine if PVM-infected cells retain viral antigens and exhibit altered properties.
• To explore potential applications of persistently infected cells in research.

Main Methods:

• Primary infection of BHK-21 cells with PVM.
• Trypsinization and cloning of infected cells.
• Assessment of viral antigen expression using immunofluorescence and immune electron microscopy.
• Evaluation of infectious virus production.
• Erythrocyte adsorption assays.

Main Results:

• Clones of persistently infected BHK-21 cells were successfully generated 72 hours post-infection.
• One cell clone maintained viral antigen expression for over 100 passages.
• Infectious virus production was significantly reduced or undetectable in these persistent clones.
• The persistently infected cells specifically adsorbed murine erythrocytes.

Conclusions:

• Persistent PVM infection in BHK-21 cells can lead to stable cell lines expressing viral antigens with minimal infectious virus.
• These cell lines offer a valuable model for studying PVM persistence and antigen presentation.
• The specific adsorption of murine erythrocytes by infected cells may indicate altered cell surface properties.