Peristence of sindbis virus in BHK-21 cell cultures

Aujeszky's disease vaccination and infection of pigs with maternal immunity: effects on cell- and antibody-mediated immunity

SCC, ADV-SCC, ADV-ADCC and ADV-LYST as well as ND50-titres of neutralizing serum antibodies were examined in 36 passively immune pigs, 25 of which were vaccinated at 3 weeks of age and partly revaccinated 3 weeks later. Twenty-five vaccinated animals and 8 non-immune control pigs were challenged with infectious ADV. Independent of the state of maternal immunity the cytotoxic response of the white blood cells from all the animals was low at WPP 3 but rose with increasing age. ADV-LYST occurred only in some of the animals. A single vaccination evoked no significant effect on our immune parameters, but revaccination led to higher ADV-LYST and ADV-ADCC. In pigs vaccinated at WPP 3 the neutralizing serum titres decreased gradually, similar to unvaccinated animals, indicating that the antibodies were of maternal origin. However, after vaccination at WPP 6, no further decline of ND50-titres could be detected, pointing to a limited antibody production. Animals vaccinated at WPP 3 and revaccinated 3 weeks later showed a significant increase of serum neutralizing titres. Whereas the controls showed typical symptoms of Aujeszky's disease, the immune animals, especially the unvaccinated passively immune pigs, showed only elevated temperatures and most of them excreted small amounts of ADV. The development of cellular immunity after infection was rather similar within the maternally immune group independent whether the animals had been vaccinated or not, but ADV-ADCC and ADV-LYST showed a more rapid progress within the vaccinated group than in the non-vaccinated group and the non-immune control group. Infection resulted in significantly higher ND50 titres in vaccinated and revaccinated animals than in unvaccinated animals, indicating a secondary response in those pigs. Thus, ADV sensitization of lymphocytes had been evoked by vaccination despite the presence of maternal antibody. The interpretation of the results was complicated by great individual and litter-dependent variations of the immune parameters.

Occurrence and reactivation of latent Aujeszky's disease virus following challenge in previously vaccinated pigs

Pigs which were vaccinated with an inactivated ADV vaccine developed a latent ADV infection up to 18 months after ADV challenge. Up to 6.5 months p.i. latent virus could be demonstrated by co-cultivation of different organ tissues (lungs, tonsils, olfactory bulb, brain stem, medulla). Afterwards, reactivation of latent virus was only achieved by immunosuppression of the animals. Immunosuppression led to a limited virus replication in nasal mucosa, tonsils, lymph nodes and central nervous system. In addition ADV was detected in the nasal secretions., Humoral and cellular immunity was investigated before and after immunosuppression of the animals. Before immunosuppression most of the animals displayed SCC, ADV-ADCC and ADV-LYST, and all animals had medium to high titres of neutralizing serum antibodies. After immunosuppression the number of pigs reacting in SCC and ADV-LYST, assays was distinctly reduced, but the number of animals reacting in ADV-ADCC assays remained unaltered. A significant reduction of serum antibody titres occurred only in 2 of 12 animals one day after the end of immunosuppression.

Persistent baculovirus infections: Spodoptera frugiperda NPV and Autographa californica NPV in Spodoptera frugiperda cells

Establishment of a persistent infection of Spodoptera frugiperda nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) in Spodoptera frugiperda (S.f.) cells occurred in three phases: the first phase was characterised by high levels of cell infection and death, the second phase by decreasing cell infection levels leading to the final phase where less than one per cent of the cells were infected during any subculture. The virus persisted at this level of infection provided the cells were maintained by regular subculturing and incubated at the optimum growth temperature of 27 degrees C. Because of the low proportion of cells infected, cultures of virus-free cells could be selected ('cured') by dilution of the persistent infection without the use of viral antiserum. Unlike the parent S.f. cells, cultures of cured cells were partially resistant to infection with S. frugiperda NPV or infection with an unrelated baculovirus Autographa californica NPV. A. californica NPV, which is cytolytic for the parent S.f. cell line, established a persistent infection in the cured cells. The establishment pattern was similar to that previously found for S. frugiperda NPV and only one to five per cent of the cells were infected at equilibrium. Cured cells from the A. californica NPV persistent infection were highly resistant to infection with both S. frugiperda NPV and A. californica NPV. All attempts to find a viral interference phenomenon to explain the resistance of the cured cells were unsuccessful. All cell types adsorbed virus equally well. Slower growth of S.f. cells cured from the persistent A. californica NPV infection is the only difference so far observed between any of the S.f. cell types.

Persistent viral infections as models for research in virus chemotherapy

The acute systemic virus infection is commonly used as an experimental model in chemotherapy research despite the fact that the chance for an effective chemotherapy of acute virus infections is small. In most acute infections, virus multiplication is well advanced before the disease is expressed and treatment will, in many cases, come too late. However, control by chemotherapy might be promising for persistent virus infections, where, owing to the slow progression of the disease, sufficient time for treatment is available. Although there are various ways in which viruses can persist in their hosts, comparative studies in vitro and in vivo reveal common features that shall be briefly reviewed. Animal models with persistent virus infections are usually difficult to experiment with because of the varying length of the incubation period brought about by the complex relationship among virus replication, immune reactions, and disease.

Establishment and maintenance of persistent infection by Sindbis virus in BHK cells

We have established a persistent infection of BHK cells with a preparation of Sindbis virus heavily enriched in defective interfering (DI) particles. The small fraction of cells that survived the initial infection grew out to form a stable population of cells [BHK(Sin-1) cells], most of which synthesized viral RNA and viral antigens. The presence of DI particles in this virus stock was required to establish this persistent state. BHK(Sin-1) cells released a small-plaque, temperature-sensitive virus (Sin-1 virus) as well as DI particles containing DI RNAs larger than those present in the original stock used to establish the persistent state. A cloned stock of Sin-1 virus, free of detectable DI particles, was able to initiate a persistent infection more quickly and with greater cell survival than the original stock of Sindbis virus containing DI particles. About 2 weeks after the Sin-1 virus-infected cells were cultured, DI RNAs arose and soon became the dominant viral RNA species produced by these cells.

Colostral immunity in piglets from sows vaccinated with inactivated Aujeszky disease virus vaccine

Neutralizing antibodies against ADV were transmitted from sows, vaccinated with inactivated ADV adjuvanted with DEAE dextran, to their offspring via colostrum. The suckling piglets were protected by colostral immunity against contact infection with ADV at week 1 p.p., however, they were not protected against i.n. infection (10(8) TCD50). At 2 and 3 weeks p.p. all the piglets were protected against both contact infection and i.n. infection. At 4 weeks p.p. 50 per cent of the litter were protected against i.n. infection, in spite of very low antibody titres (1:2--1:4). The colostral antibodies did not interfere with active antibody response when the piglets were vaccinated with the inactivated vaccine from 2 weeks p.p. onward. Lymphocytes from suckling piglets of a vaccinated sow showed in vitro reactivity (enhanced 3H-thymidine incorporation) against ADV and BHK antigen, both contained in the vaccine used for the immunization of the sow.

Persistent infection of cultured mammalian cells by Japanese encephalitis virus

Persistent infections were established by serial undiluted passage of flavivirus Japanese encephalitis virus in a line of rabbit kidney cells (MA-111). The persistently infected cells resembled uninfected cells in most respects. Low levels of infectious virions were released from a small percentage of cells, and a larger and more variable percentage was shown to possess viral antigen by fluorescent-antibody staining. Released viruses were shown to interfere with replication of wild-type Japanese encephalitis virus. Persistently infected MA-111 cells could not be superinfected with homologous wild-type Japanese encephalitis virus but could be superinfected with two heterologous viruses. Transfer of cell culture medium from persistently infected MA-111 cells to a line of African green monkey kidney cells (Vero) resulted in similar persistent infections in the latter cells. Temperature sensitivity and host-cell interferon production were not involved in establishment or maintenance of persistence. Determination of ratios of physical particles to infectious particles revealed that many defective, noninfectious viruses were present, suggesting that defective interfering particles may be responsible for persistency.

Analysis of VSV mutant with attenuated cytopathogenicity: mutation in viral function, P, for inhibition of protein synthesis

T1026, a ts mutant of VSV which is much less cytopathogenic than its parent, HR, and which can establish persistent infection under certain conditions, is a double mutant. In addition to its ts mutation in the virion RNA polymerase, T1026 has a second non-ts mutation in a viral function termed "P". This function is responsible for the inhibition of total protein synthesis in infected cells and acts chiefly at the level of translational initiation. In some cell systems, the inhibition of protein synthesis produced by P appears to be selective for cellular protein synthesis, whereas in other cell systems, both cellular and viral protein synthesis are inhibited. T1026 and its ts revertants are phenotypically P- -that is, cells infected with them show total protein synthesis rates equal to or greater than uninfected cells, while synthesizing viral proteins at the same or even greater rates than HR-infected cells. The P- mutation is correlated with failure to increase plaque size after 2-3 days of incubation. Since viral mutants obtained from persistently infected cultures in a variety of systems appear to be double mutants with a ts mutation in the virion RNA polymerase and a small plaque marker, we suggest that T1026 could represent a model for such mutants.

Cell-mediated immunity in Aujeszky disease virus infected pigs. I. Lymphocyte stimulation

The appearance of cell-mediated immunity was studied in Aujeszky diseased pigs with the aid of the in vitro stimulation of sensitized lymphocytes. The first cell-mediated immunity reaction of lymphocytes occurred 4 days after infection. From day 7 to 35, the latest day tested, the reactions were most marked with lymphocytes from lymph nodes and spleen, whereas blood and thymus lymphocytes reacted less frequently; bone marrow lymphocytes showed no response. Reinfection did not considerably enhance lymphocyte reactivity. Humoral immunity was demonstrated a few days later than cell-mediated immunity. Neutralizing antibodies were first detected at day 7, reaching optimal titers at day 14. Complement fixing antibodies were detected from day 14 onward. Reinfection caused a very weak booster effect only on neutralizing antibody production. The sensitivity of the neutralization test could be enhanced up to sixfold by the addition of fresh guinea pig complement. It is concluded that cell-mediated immunity influences the early stage of infection with Aujeszky disease virus when humoral immunity is not yet demonstrable or yet rather low. Lymph nodes and spleen are apparently of special importance for the appearance of ADV-reactive lymphocytes.

Persistent infection of tissue culture cells by RNA viruses

In this paper, the characteristics of cultured cells persistently infected with RNA viruses, other than leuko viruses are described. The roles that the host cell, interferon, virus mutants and defective interfering particles may play in the establishment and maintenance of persistent infection are discussed. It is proposed that the interaction of viruses with certain types of host cells can lead to persistent infection. The differences in virus-host interactions may be attributable to differences in membrane properties of various cells. Defective interfering particles may play a role in the establishment of persistent infections in cells which normally undergo lytic virus development. Mutant types of virus appear to be prominent in the virus released from persistently infected cells, but the role that various mutants play in the maintenance of persistent infections remains unclear.

[Multiplication of sindbis virus in Drosophila cells cultivated in vitro (author's transl)]

Sindbis virus replicates in Drosophila cell cultures without any cytopathic effect. In continuous cell lines the virus is able to establish a persistent infection similar to other arboviruses in insect cell lines. The growth curve of Sindbis virus in Drosophila cells shows a maximum virus yield at around 24 hours postinfection, thereafter the virus production decreases and then remains fairly constant during a number of cell divisions. The average virus yield per cell has been estimated to be small, i.e. at best 5 PFU per day.

Analysis of a viral agent isolated from multiple sclerosis brain tissue: characterization as a parainfluenzavirus type 1

A virus originally isolated from cell cultures obtained by lysolecithin-induced fusion of human multiple sclerosis brain cells with CV-1 cells has been analyzed for its antigenic, RNA, and polypeptide compositions, and for selective biological properties. Our findings establish that this isolate, designated 6/94 virus, contains a 50S RNA genome and is, as yet, indistinguishable from Sendai virus in its antigenic and total polypeptide compositions. Despite these similarities, the 6/94 and Sendai viruses differ in certain phenotypic properties. 6/94 virus is markedly less cytocidal for chick fibroblasts, especially at 37 C and, after beta-propiolactone inactivation, it possesses a greater capacity for cell fusion and a lower toxicity than does comparably treated Sendai virus. In addition, 6/94 virus shows greater hemolytic activity.

Temperature-sensitive virus from Aedes albopictus cells chronically infected with Sindbis virus

Cultures of Aedes albopictus cells persistently infected with wild-type Sindbis virus (SV-W) give rise to small plaque-forming mutants which are also temperature sensitive. These mutants, designated SV-C, are neutralized by antiserum produced against SV-W. Mutant ts clones were isolated from SV-C by plaque purification. After serial undiluted passage in BHK or mosquito cells, each of the clones gave rise to ts(+) revertants which, however, remained mutant with respect to plaque morphology. Nineteen of 20 clones derived from SV-C were RNA(+), and one was RNA(-) (SV-C-2). The RNA synthesizing activity, once induced in infected cells by SV-C-2, was stable at the nonpermissive temperature (39.5 C). All clones derived from SV-C were inactivated at 60 C much more quickly than was SV-W. It was not possible to demonstrate complementation between any of the SV-C clones.

Selection of temperature-sensitive mutants during persistent infection: role in maintenance of persistent Newcastle disease virus infections of L cells

Virus mutants (NDV(pi)) recovered from L cells persistently infected with Newcastle disease virus (NDV, Herts strain) are temperature-sensitive (ts) at 43 C, although the wild-type virus (NDV(o)) which initiated the persistent infection replicates normally at that temperature. To study the relationship between the ts marker of NDV(pi) and the other properties which distinguish this virus from NDV(o), NDV(pi) ts(+) revertants were selected at the nonpermissive temperature and NDV(o) ts mutants were generated by treating NDV(o) with nitrous acid. Spontaneously-occurring ts mutants in the Herts NDV population were also isolated. The different virus populations were characterized with regard to plaque size, virulence for eggs, and thermal stability of infectivity, hemagglutinin, and neuraminidase. The NDV(pi) ts(+) revertants, although no longer temperature-sensitive, retained NDV(pi) properties, whereas both spontaneously-occurring and mutagen-induced ts mutants remained wild-type in their other properties. These findings showed that the properties which characterized NDV(pi) were independent of the ts marker. However, the ts marker and the other markers of NDV(pi) were coselected during the persistent infection, and the combination of those markers appeared to be important in the outcome of NDV infection of L cells. NDV(pi) replicated productively in L cells, whereas NDV(o), the NDV(pi) ts(+) revertants, and the spontaneously-occurring ts mutants all yielded covert infections in L cells. The role of the selection of ts mutants in persistent infection was confirmed as follows: L cells were persistently infected with NDV(pi) ts(+) revertants and NDV(o) ts mutants. Virus recovered from the persistently infected cultures after eight cell passages was always temperature-sensitive and of smaller plaque size than the parental virus in chicken embryo cell cultures. Similar results were obtained with virus recovered from L-cell cultures persistently infected with two other velogenic strains of NDV, the Texas-GB and Kansas-Man strains. These results strongly suggest that selection of ts mutants during the persistent infection was not random and played a role in establishment or maintenance of the persistent infection, or both.