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Characterization of a hamster brain cell line persistently infected with measles virus
Abstract:
A persistent infection of measles virus in hamster brain cell cultures was established. Hamster brain cells were transformed with a human papovavirus strain BK and infected with a wild-type measles virus in order to get the cell line persistently infected with measles virus. About 75 per cent of these M-HB/MVB-cells were measles virus-infected. The cells released only small amount of infectious virus and produced low levels of interferon-like activity into the growth medium. During the first 50 passages no large syncytia typical of a lytic measles virus infection were seen. The products of measles virus infection in the cells and in cell culture fluids were followed at two temperatures. Another cell line persistently infected with measles virus (Lu-carrier-cells, 28) was investigated in parallel. In both cell lines measles antigens were cytoplasmic, but during the observation period large amounts of measles nucleocapsid accumulated in the nuclei of the M-HB/MVB-cells. The virus-specific protein synthesis in M-HB/MVB-cells was weak and the intracellular amount of immunoreactive measles nucleocapsid was only 50 per cent (600 ng/10(5) infected cells) of the (1200 ng/10(5) cells) found in Lu-carrier-cells. Also the release of nucleocapsid was minimal in hamster brain cells. The decreased temperature had no clear-cut effect on virus-specific protein synthesis or on the release of the virus-specific products.
Insights
Researchers established a persistent measles virus infection in hamster brain cells, creating a new cell line (M-HB/MVB-cells) for studying measles virus persistence and replication dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Persistent viral infections pose significant challenges in understanding viral pathogenesis.
- Measles virus (MV) typically causes acute lytic infections, but persistent forms are implicated in rare neurological diseases.
- Establishing reliable cell culture models is crucial for studying persistent viral infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a persistent measles virus infection in hamster brain cells.
- To characterize the replication and protein synthesis of measles virus in a novel hamster brain cell line.
- To compare measles virus persistence in hamster brain cells with a known persistent cell line.
Main Methods:
- Hamster brain cells were transformed with human papovavirus BK and infected with wild-type measles virus.
- A persistently infected cell line (M-HB/MVB-cells) was established and maintained for multiple passages.
- Viral antigen expression, nucleocapsid accumulation, protein synthesis, and infectious virus release were analyzed.
- A parallel investigation was conducted using a previously established persistent measles virus cell line (Lu-carrier-cells).
Main Results:
- Approximately 75% of the M-HB/MVB-cells showed measles virus infection.
- Low levels of infectious virus and interferon-like activity were released into the medium.
- Measles virus nucleocapsid accumulated in the nuclei of M-HB/MVB-cells, while antigens were cytoplasmic.
- Virus-specific protein synthesis was weak, and intracellular nucleocapsid levels were half those in Lu-carrier-cells.
- Minimal nucleocapsid release was observed in the hamster brain cells, with no significant effect of decreased temperature.
Conclusions:
- A stable cell line persistently infected with measles virus was successfully established using hamster brain cells.
- The M-HB/MVB-cell line exhibits characteristics of a non-lytic, persistent measles virus infection with restricted viral replication and release.
- This model provides a valuable tool for investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying measles virus persistence in neuronal cells.