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Association of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) with mink and rabbit lung cells
Abstract:
The association of human cytomegalovirus with mink and rabbit lung cells was studied. Strain AD-169 was used which was free of Mycoplasma and other contaminating agents. It was found to be incapable of productively infecting mink lung cells. Infection appeared to be initiated but aborted at an early stage. This was indicated by indirect immunofluorescence, assays of culture supernatants and cell lysates for infectious virus, electron microscopy of ultra-thin sections of infected cells, labelling of virus and viral DNA with 3H-thymidine and assay of virally-induced DNA polymerase at various times after infection. On the other hand, using these methods. AD-169 was found to infect rabbit lung cells, the virus being produced in low amounts over a period of up to one month after infection. At this time, focal areas of infection were still apparent and 15 per cent of the cells expressed nuclear viral antigens as shown by immunofluorescence. The viral genome was assumed to have become latent in some rabbit cells with a few being capable of producing infectious virus.
Insights
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) strain AD-169 failed to productively infect mink lung cells. However, HCMV did infect rabbit lung cells, establishing a latent infection with low-level viral production.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a common virus with a broad host range.
- Understanding HCMV tropism is crucial for studying viral pathogenesis and developing antiviral strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the susceptibility of mink and rabbit lung cells to HCMV infection.
- To characterize the interaction of HCMV strain AD-169 with these non-primate cell types.
Main Methods:
- Indirect immunofluorescence assays
- Assays for infectious virus in culture supernatants and cell lysates
- Electron microscopy
- Radiolabeling of viral DNA and assessment of viral DNA polymerase activity
Main Results:
- HCMV strain AD-169 did not productively infect mink lung cells; infection was initiated but aborted early.
- HCMV successfully infected rabbit lung cells, with low-level virus production for up to one month.
- Nuclear viral antigens were detected in 15% of rabbit cells, suggesting latent infection.
Conclusions:
- Mink lung cells are resistant to productive HCMV infection.
- Rabbit lung cells support a persistent, low-level HCMV infection, potentially involving viral latency.