Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks
Published on: June 26, 2020
First complete and productive cell culture model for members of the genus Iridovirus
Susan M D'Costa1, David J Vigerust, Marsha R Perales-Hull
1Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-3131, USA.
Insights
Chilo iridescent virus (CIV) productively infects a new boll weevil cell line (AG3A). This stable cell culture model offers a superior system for studying CIV replication and iridoviruses.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Insect Pathology
Background:
- Chilo iridescent virus (CIV) is the type strain of the genus Iridovirus.
- Productive replication of CIV has been observed in boll weevil larvae (Anthonomus grandis).
- Previous studies lacked a complete cell culture model for CIV replication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize productive CIV infections in a novel boll weevil cell line (BRL-AG-3A, AG3A).
- To establish a stable and efficient cell culture system for CIV research.
- To evaluate AG3A cells as a model for studying iridovirus replication.
Main Methods:
- Passaging CIV in AG3A cells and assessing viral titer.
- Analyzing viral DNA replication and restriction endonuclease digestion profiles.
- Observing viral morphogenesis and determining infectivity via TCID(50) assays.
Main Results:
- CIV can be continually passaged to high titers in AG3A cells.
- CIV passaged in AG3A cells demonstrates stable replication.
- AG3A cells are more efficient for CIV replication than previous cell lines (e.g., CF-124T).
Conclusions:
- The AG3A cell line provides a superior and complete cell culture model for CIV.
- This system is the first productive cell culture model for CIV or any Iridovirus genus member.
- The established model facilitates cellular and molecular studies on CIV and related viruses.
Abstract:
Chilo iridescent virus (CIV; the type strain of the genus Iridovirus) replicates productively in larvae of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis. This study focuses on characterizing productive infections of a boll weevil cell line, BRL-AG-3A (AG3A), starting with CIV reared in the waxworm, Galleria mellonella. We show that CIV can be continually and productively passaged to high titer in AG3A cells. The replication of larval-derived CIV in AG3A was analyzed by observing viral DNA replication and restriction endonuclease digestion profiles, morphogenesis, and infectivity using TCID(50) assays with AG3A as an indicator cell line. The data showed that virus passaged in the AG3A host is stable. AG3A cells are more efficient than previously utilized CF-124T cells from Choristoneura fumiferana. This system constitutes a superior model for cellular and molecular studies on CIV; it represents the first complete, productive cell culture model for the replication of CIV or any member of the genus Iridovirus.
