Multiplication of vaccinia virus in serum-free and serum-containing cell cultures.

Abstract

THE use of tissue culture cells for the production of virus preparations and vaccines is increasing and will gain prominence in the future. A report has recently appeared concerning the possible use of cell cultures for the standardization of smallpox vaccines1. At present the cell lines used for the production of virus vaccines are grown in media which contain of necessity serum of one species or another2. Several cell lines which grow in media free of serum have been reported3, and the advantages that these cells might have for vaccine production are obvious. Their use, however, could well be limited by their ability to support virus growth to a high titre. This report describes a comparison of vaccinia growth in serum-free and serum-containing mouse lung cells.