Infection of a Spodoptera frugiperda cell line with Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus
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Published on: September 3, 2008
1Unité de Génétique des Virus, Station de Recherches de Pathologie Comparée, INRA-URA CNRS 2209, Saint Christol-Lès-Alès, France.
Abstract:
The interactions of Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) with Spodoptera frugiperda cells (Sf9) were investigated. S. frugiperda cells are usually considered nonpermissive for BmNPV. However, in the present study, BmNPV DNA replication was observed and an increasing infectious titre, reaching 10(4) TCID50/ml on B. mori permissive cells by 6 days post-transfection, developed in the supernatant of infected Sf9 cells. Infection of Sf9 cells by BmNPV did not induce a discernible shutoff of cellular protein synthesis and no overt cytopathic effects were observed. These data indicate that the low permissivity of Sf9 cells for BmNPV replication is associated with an inapparent infection.
Insights
Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) can replicate in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells, which are typically nonpermissive. This results in an inapparent infection with detectable viral DNA replication and infectious virions.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Insect Cell Culture
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells are generally considered nonpermissive to Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) infection.
- Understanding viral interactions with nonpermissive insect cell lines is crucial for baculovirus research and applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction and replication of Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells.
- To characterize the nature of BmNPV infection in typically nonpermissive Sf9 cells.
Main Methods:
- Infection of Sf9 cells with BmNPV.
- Monitoring of viral DNA replication.
- Quantification of infectious viral titer in the supernatant.
- Assessment of cellular protein synthesis and cytopathic effects.
Main Results:
- BmNPV DNA replication was observed in Sf9 cells.
- Infectious viral titers reached 10(4) TCID50/ml in permissive Bombyx mori cells by 6 days post-transfection from infected Sf9 cell supernatant.
- No significant shutoff of cellular protein synthesis or overt cytopathic effects were observed in infected Sf9 cells.
Conclusions:
- Sf9 cells exhibit low permissivity for BmNPV replication, supporting an inapparent infection.
- The observed viral replication and production of infectious virions challenge the notion of complete non-permissiveness.
- These findings highlight the complex host-pathogen interactions within baculovirus-insect cell systems.
