The primary interaction of poliomyelitis virus with host cells of tissue culture origin

Abstract

The inorganic salts CaCl 2 and MgCl 2 promoted the attachment of poliomyelitis virus to monkey kidney tissue culture cells in suspension. The rate of virus attachment was found to be dependent on the concentration of these salts. No attachment was demonstrable at 10 −1 M or higher and 10 −5 M or lower concentrations of the above salts. Optimal attachment rates occurred at 10 −3 M calcium or magnesium chloride. Temperature exerted no significant effect on the virus attachment rate within the range of 37° to 1°. A nonadsorbing system of virus and cells was converted into a rapidly reacting one by the addition of CaCl 2 to a final concentration of 10 −3 M. These data suggested that the initial binding of poliomyelitis virus to host cells is mediated through electrostatic bonding.