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Characterization of four cell lines persistently infected with measles virus
Abstract:
Persistently infected cell lines were established by infecting Vero cells with four different strains of measles virus: Edmonston "wild type", Schwarz vaccine strain passaged at high multiplicity of infection, Hallé SSPE strain, and a temperature sensitive mutant of Edmonston strain, designated ts 841. The four cell lines have continued to produce virus at a constant low level over a period of more than two years, although cytopathology and hemagglutinating ability have varied with cell passage. Only virus from cells originally infected with ts 841 appears to be temperature sensitive. In each of the cell lines a sizable population of low density, interfering virus particles was generated, indicating that this is an important mechanism for these four cell lines in maintenance of the measles virus persistent infection.
Insights
Researchers established persistent measles virus infections in cell lines using four strains. Interfering virus particles were generated, suggesting a key mechanism for maintaining these long-term infections.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Persistent viral infections can evade immune responses.
- Understanding mechanisms of viral persistence is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies.
- Measles virus can establish chronic infections in specific cellular contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and characterize persistently infected cell lines using different measles virus strains.
- To investigate the mechanisms underlying measles virus persistence in vitro.
- To determine if interfering virus particles play a role in maintaining persistent infections.
Main Methods:
- Infection of Vero cells with four distinct measles virus strains (Edmonston wild type, Schwarz vaccine, Hallé SSPE, and ts 841 mutant).
- Long-term culture (over two years) to establish persistent infection.
- Monitoring of viral production, cytopathology, and hemagglutinating ability.
- Characterization of generated virus particles, including density and interfering capacity.
Main Results:
- Four stable, persistently measles virus-infected cell lines were established.
- Continuous low-level virus production was maintained for over two years.
- A significant population of low-density, interfering measles virus particles was generated in all cell lines.
- Temperature sensitivity was observed only in the virus derived from the ts 841-infected cells.
Conclusions:
- The generation of interfering measles virus particles is a significant mechanism for maintaining persistent infections in these cell lines.
- Different measles virus strains can establish persistent infections with varying characteristics.
- Further research into interfering particles may offer insights into controlling persistent viral infections.