Propagation of reticuloendotheliosis virus strain t in cell lines derived from avian lymphoid leukosis lymphoma and Marek's disease tumour

Abstract

Propagation of reticuloendotheliosis virus strain T (REV-T) was studied in avian lymphoid leukosis lymphoma-derived cell lines (LSCC-1104x5 and BK 3) and Marek's disease tumour-derived cell lines (MDCC-MSB1 and RP 1). These four cell lines showed cellular growth for a long time even after they were infected with REV-T. Production of non-oncogenic REV-T, replication non-defective virus, in these cell lines continued for 3 to 7 months. When culture fluids from 1104x5, MSB1 and RP 1, which were infected with oncogenic REV-T, were inoculated into 1-day-old chickens, acute development of lethal reticuloendotheliosis (RE) tumours occurred. Especially after the use of the fluids from 1104x5, propagation of oncogenic REV-T was observed for a long time, 7 months. Of the chickens inoculated with the culture fluid of any REV-T-infected cell lines, many chickens which survived for 4 weeks showed abnormal feathering, 'nakanuke'. The body weight of these chickens was significantly less than that of uninoculated chickens. No contamination with infectious REV was observed in the culture fluids from any uninfected line cells.