Detection of type D retrovirus in a human amnion cell line (FL)

This paper describes the detection of viral particles in a human amnion cell line (FL). These particles belong to the group of type D retroviruses, because of their characteristic morphology, their major antigenic determinants, and the presence of particle-associated Mg++-preferring RNA-dependent DNA polymerase. In addition to budding and mature type D virus particles, intracytoplasmic type A structures have also been found. Immunological analysis provided evidence of cross-reactivity between the particles described and the Mason-Pfizer monkey virus as well as type D retroviruses from other human cell lines (PMF, HEp-2). Particles isolated from FL cell medium were shown to infect type D virus-susceptible human TU 197 cells.