Influence of cell type and virus upon lysis of rabies virus-infected cells by antibody and complement

Mouse neuroblastoma (MNB) cells infected with ERA virus were specifically lysed in the presence of rabbit complement by antisera produced in mice to challenge virus standard (CVS), ERA, Flury HEP or street virus (SV) strains of rabies. MNB or EL-4 cells persistently infected with ERA, MNB cells infected with CVS, and BHK-21/S13 cells infected with ERA or Flury HEP also were suitable targets. CER cells infected with either ERA, CVS or Flury HEP, BHK-21/S13 cells infected with CVS and MNB cells infected with Flury HEP were not suitable targets. Two unusual findings indicated that 1. some cells which were greater than 80 percent positive for rabies viral membrane antigen(s) were poorly lysed, and 2. some cells that expressed cytoplasmic antigen lacked detectable membrane antigens.