Minimal Cytopathic Effect Research Articles

An Improved Enzyme-Linked Focus Formation Assay Revealed Baloxavir Acid as a Potential Antiviral Therapeutic Against Hantavirus Infection.

Hantaviruses, etiologic pathogens responsible for two severe human diseases, exist in areas ranging from Eurasia to America and remain global public health concerns. Conventionally, plaque formation assays have been used for hantavirus titering. However, hantaviruses replicate slowly within cells and produce minimal cytopathic effects, making this technique difficult to master. The improved enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based antigen detection method is easier to perform but is still time consuming. Here, we established an enzyme-linked focus formation assay (FFA) for Hantaan virus titering that is twice as fast as traditional assays. Moreover, using this method, we evaluated the effects of favipiravir (T-705) and another influenza virus drug, baloxavir acid (BXA), on hantavirus replication. We found that the endonuclease inhibitor BXA exerted similar anti-hantavirus effects as T-705. Overall, we developed a time-saving method for hantavirus titering and suggest BXA as a potential treatment choice for hantavirus-exposed individuals.

Zika virus infection dysregulates human neural stem cell growth and inhibits differentiation into neuroprogenitor cells

The current outbreak of Zika virus-associated diseases in South America and its threat to spread to other parts of the world has emerged as a global health emergency. A strong link between Zika virus and microcephaly exists, and the potential mechanisms associated with microcephaly are under intense investigation. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Zika virus infection of Asian and African lineages (PRVABC59 and MR766) in human neural stem cells (hNSCs). These two Zika virus strains displayed distinct infection pattern and growth rates in hNSCs. Zika virus MR766 strain increased serine 139 phosphorylation of histone H2AX (γH2AX), a known early cellular response proteins to DNA damage. On the other hand, PRVABC59 strain upregulated serine 15 phosphorylation of p53, p21 and PUMA expression. MR766-infected cells displayed poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and caspase-3 cleavage. Interestingly, infection of hNSCs by both strains of Zika virus for 24 h, followed by incubation in astrocyte differentiation medium, induced rounding and cell death. However, astrocytes generated from hNSCs by incubation in differentiation medium when infected with Zika virus displayed minimal cytopathic effect at an early time point. Infected hNSCs incubated in astrocyte differentiating medium displayed PARP cleavage within 24–36 h. Together, these results showed that two distinct strains of Zika virus potentiate hNSC growth inhibition by different mechanisms, but both viruses strongly induce death in early differentiating neuroprogenitor cells even at a very low multiplicity of infection. Our observations demonstrate further mechanistic insights for impaired neuronal homeostasis during active Zika virus infection.

Identification of molecular determinants of cell culture growth characteristics of Enterovirus 71.

BackgroundHand, foot and mouth disease is caused by Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) and Coxsackieviruses. EV-A71 infection is associated with high fever, rashes and ulcers but more severe symptoms such as cardiopulmonary failure and death have been reported. The lack of vaccines highlighted the urgency of developing preventive agents against EV-A71. The molecular determinants of virulent phenotypes of EV-A71 is unclear. It remains to be investigated if specific molecular determinants would affect the cell culture growth characteristics of the EV-A71 fatal strain in Rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells.ResultsIn this study, several genetically modified sub-genotype B4 EV-A71 mutants were constructed by site-directed mutations at positions 158, 475, 486, 487 and 5262 or through partial deletion of the 5′-NTR region (∆ 11 bp from nt 475 to 486) to generate a deletion mutant (PD). EV-A71 mutants 475 and PD caused minimal cytopathic effects, produced lowest viral RNA copy number, viral particles as well as minimal amount of viral protein (VP1) in RD cells when compared to mutants 158, 486, 487 and 5262.ConclusionsThe molecular determinants of virulent phenotypes of EV-A71 sub-genotype B4 strain 41 (5865/Sin/000009) were found to differ from the C158 molecular determinant reported for the fatal EV-A71 sub-genotype B1 strain (clinical isolate 237). The site-directed mutations (SDM) introduced at various sites of the cDNA affected growth of the various mutants when compared to the wild type. Lowest viral RNA copy number, minimal number of plaques formed, higher infectious doses required for 50% lethality of RD cells and much reduced VP1 of the EV-A71 sub-genotype B4 strain 41 genome was attained in mutants carrying SDM at position 475 and through partial deletion of 11 bp at the 5′-NTR region.

BacMam-mediated gene transfer into neural cell types

Modified baculoviruses containing a mammalian promoter, known as BacMam, have emerged as a key method for labeling diverse cell types, owing to its high transduction efficiencies, minimal cytopathic effects and the ability to carry DNA fragments larger than 40 KB. The transient expression without viral replication or integration into the mammalian genome makes BacMam an ideal method to label primary and adult stem cells. In the current study, we describe how BacMam enables efficient transduction and robust gene expression in neural stem cells (NSC) and progenitor cells. Utilizing the H9 human embryonic stem cell (hESC), we generated neurospheres, neural rosettes and Neural Stem Cells (NSC) and transduced them with BacMam 2.0 GFP. Commercially available human NSCs (h-NSC) and rat fetal NSCs (rNSCs) were also transduced with BacMam 2.0 GFP. Primary rat neurons and post-differentiated human NSCs were transduced with either BacMam 2.0 GFP or Plasma Membrane-GFP BacMam 2.0 and Synaptophysin-RFP BacMam 2.0 to assess the capability of gene expression in mature neural cell types. Using a GFP marker, we demonstrated that the BacMam virus can consistently transduce neural stem cells with high efficiency and low toxicity. Transduction was also enabled in differentiated NSC, and the expression in primary neurons was dependent on the age of the culture, with preferential labeling of astrocytes in older cultures. BacMam mediated gene delivery provides a superior platform for introducing diverse gene elements, creating assay-ready cells among young neuronal cells and mature astrocytes.

Attenuated Oncolytic Measles Virus Strains as Cancer Therapeutics

Attenuated measles virus vaccine strains have emerged as a promising oncolytic vector platform, having shown significant anti-tumor activity against a broad range of malignant neoplasms. Measles virus strains derived from the attenuated Edmonston-B (MV-Edm) vaccine lineage have been shown to selectively infect, replicate in and lyse cancer cells while causing minimal cytopathic effect on normal tissues. This review summarizes the preclinical data that led to the rapid clinical translation of oncolytic measles vaccine strains and provides an overview of early clinical data using this oncolytic platform. Furthermore, novel approaches currently under development to further enhance the oncolytic efficacy of MV-Edm strains, including strategies to circumvent immunity or modulate immune system responses, combinatorial approaches with standard treatment modalities, virus retargeting as well as strategies for in vivo monitoring of viral replication are discussed.

Noninvasive Imaging and Radiovirotherapy of Prostate Cancer Using an Oncolytic Measles Virus Expressing the Sodium Iodide Symporter

Prostate cancer cells overexpress the measles virus (MV) receptor CD46. Herein, we evaluated the antitumor activity of an oncolytic derivative of the MV Edmonston (MV-Edm) vaccine strain engineered to express the human sodium iodide symporter (NIS; MV-NIS virus). MV-NIS showed significant cytopathic effect (CPE) against prostate cancer cell lines in vitro. Infected cells effectively concentrated radioiodide isotopes as measured in vitro by Iodide-125 ((125)I) uptake assays. Virus localization and spread in vivo could be effectively followed by imaging of (123)I uptake. In vivo administration of MV-NIS either locally or systemically (total dose of 9 x 10(6) TCID(50)) resulted in significant tumor regression (P < 0.05) and prolongation of survival (P < 0.01). Administration of (131)I further enhanced the antitumor effect of MV-NIS virotherapy (P < 0.05). In conclusion, MV-NIS is an oncolytic vector with significant antitumor activity against prostate cancer, which can be further enhanced by (131)I administration. The NIS transgene allows viral localization and monitoring by noninvasive imaging which can facilitate dose optimization in a clinical setting.

Coxiella burnetiiInhibits Apoptosis in Human THP-1 Cells and Monkey Primary Alveolar Macrophages

Coxiella burnetii, the cause of human Q fever, is an aerosol-borne, obligate intracellular bacterium that targets host alveolar mononuclear phagocytic cells during infection. In all cell types examined, C. burnetii establishes a replicative niche in a lysosome-like parasitophorous vacuole where it carries out a lengthy infectious cycle with minimal cytopathic effects. The persistent and mild nature of C. burnetii infection in vitro suggests that the pathogen modulates apoptosis to sustain the host cell. In the current study, we examined the ability of C. burnetii to inhibit apoptotic cell death during infection of human THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages and primary monkey alveolar macrophages. C. burnetii-infected cells demonstrated significant protection from death relative to uninfected cells following treatment with staurosporine, a potent inducer of intrinsic apoptosis. This protection correlated with reduced cleavage of caspase-9, caspase-3, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), all proteolytic events that occur during apoptosis. Reduced PARP cleavage was also observed in cells treated with tumor necrosis factor alpha to induce extrinsic apoptosis. Apoptosis inhibition was a C. burnetii-driven process as infected cells treated with rifampin or chloramphenicol, inhibitors of bacterial RNA and protein synthesis, respectively, showed significantly reduced protection against staurosporine-induced apoptosis. C. burnetii infection affected the expression of multiple apoptosis-related genes and resulted in increased synthesis of the antiapoptotic proteins A1/Bfl-1 and c-IAP2. Collectively, these data suggest that C. burnetii modulates apoptotic pathways to inhibit host cell death, thus providing a stable, intracellular niche for the course of the pathogen's infectious cycle.

Properties of a herpes simplex virus multiple immediate-early gene-deleted recombinant as a vaccine vector

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) recombinants induce durable immune responses in rhesus macaques and mice and have induced partial protection in rhesus macaques against mucosal challenge with virulent simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). In this study, we evaluated the properties of a new generation HSV vaccine vector, an HSV-1 multiple immediate-early (IE) gene deletion mutant virus, d106, which contains deletions in the ICP4, ICP27, ICP22, and ICP47 genes. Because several of the HSV IE genes have been implicated in immune evasion, inactivation of the genes encoding these proteins was expected to result in enhanced immunogenicity. The d106 virus expresses few HSV gene products and shows minimal cytopathic effect in cultured cells. When d106 was inoculated into mice, viral DNA accumulated at high levels in draining lymph nodes, consistent with an ability to transduce dendritic cells and activate their maturation and movement to lymph nodes. A d106 recombinant expressing Escherichia coli β-galactosidase induced durable β-gal-specific IgG and CD8 + T cell responses in naive and HSV-immune mice. Finally, d106-based recombinants have been constructed that express simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) gag, env, or a rev-tat-nef fusion protein for several days in cultured cells. Thus, d106 shows many of the properties desirable in a vaccine vector: limited expression of HSV gene products and cytopathogenicity, high level expression of transgenes, ability to induce durable immune responses, and an ability to transduce dendritic cells and induce their maturation and migration to lymph nodes.

Growth of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Primary Epithelial Cells from the Human Respiratory Tract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most important cause of lower respiratory tract disease in infants and children. To study RSV replication, we have developed an in vitro model of human nasopharyngeal mucosa, human airway epithelium (HAE). RSV grows to moderate titers in HAE, though they are significantly lower than those in a continuous epithelial cell line, HEp-2. In HAE, RSV spreads over time to form focal collections of infected cells causing minimal cytopathic effect. Unlike HEp-2 cells, in which wild-type and live-attenuated vaccine candidate viruses grow equally well, the vaccine candidates exhibit growth in HAE that parallels their level of attenuation in children.

Apoptosis induction and interferon signaling but not IFN-β promoter induction by an SV5 P/V mutant are rescued by coinfection with wild-type SV5

Infection of human cells with the paramyxovirus simian virus 5 (SV5) results in minimal cytopathic effect, and host interferon (IFN) and apoptotic pathways are not activated. We have previously shown that an rSV5 containing six naturally occurring P/V gene substitutions (rSV5-P/V-CPI−) displays premature and elevated expression of viral RNA and protein. In addition, cells infected with rSV5-P/V-CPI− show induction of the IFN-β promoter as well as activation of IFN signaling and apoptotic pathways. In this article, we have tested the hypothesis that rSV5-WT can supply trans-acting factors that prevent host cell antiviral responses induced by rSV5-P/V-CPI−. During coinfection of human A549 cells, rSV5-WT blocked cell rounding, loss of cell volume, and DNA fragmentation induced by rSV5-P/V-CPI−, three later events in the apoptotic pathway, but was not able to block the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ m ), an early event in the cell death process. As expected, IFN signaling was blocked during coinfections, and this was attributed to the loss of STAT1 induced by the rSV5-WT V protein. Surprisingly, simultaneous infection with rSV5-WT could not suppress the activation of the IFN-β promoter by rSV5-P/V-CPI− infection. However, the IFN-β promoter was not activated in cells that were first preinfected for 1 h with rSV5-WT and then subsequently infected with rSV5-P/V-CPI−. A model is proposed for activation of host responses to infection with the rSV5-P/V-CPI− mutant and the steps that are blocked by rSV5-WT.

Recovery of Paramyxovirus Simian Virus 5 with a V Protein Lacking the Conserved Cysteine-rich Domain: The Multifunctional V Protein Blocks both Interferon-β Induction and Interferon Signaling

The V protein of the Paramyxovirus simian virus 5 (SV5) is a multifunctional protein containing an N-terminal 164 residue domain that is shared with the P protein and a distinct C-terminal domain that is cysteine-rich and which is highly conserved among Paramyxoviruses. We report the recovery from Vero cells [interferon (IFN) nonproducing cells] of a recombinant SV5 (rSV5) that lacks the V protein C-terminal specific domain (rSV5VΔC). In Vero cells rSV5VΔC forms large plaques and grows at a rate and titer similar to those of rSV5. In BHK or CV-1 cells rSV5VΔC forms small plaques and grows poorly. However, even when grown in Vero cells rSV5VΔC reverts to pseudo-wild-type virus in four to five passages, indicating the importance of the V protein for successful replication of SV5. Whereas rSV5 grows in many cell types with minimal cytopathic effect (CPE), rSV5VΔC causes extensive CPE in the same cell types. To overcome the antiviral state induced by IFN, many viruses have evolved mechanisms to counteract the effects of IFN by blocking the production of IFN and abrogating IFN signaling. Whereas rSV5 blocks IFN signaling by mediating the degradation of STAT1, rSV5VΔC does not cause the degradation of STAT1 and IFN signaling occurs through formation of the ISGF3 transcription complex. Furthermore, we find that rSV5 infection of cells prevents production of IFN-β. The transcription factor IRF-3 which is required for transcription of the IFN-β gene is not translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in rSV5-infected cells. In contrast, in rSV5VΔC-infected cells IRF-3 is localized predominantly in the nucleus and IFN-β is produced. By using ectopic expression of IRF-3, it was shown that after dsRNA treatment and expression of the V protein IRF-3 remained in the cytoplasm, whereas after dsRNA treatment and expression of the P protein (which lacks the C-terminal cysteine-rich domain) IRF-3 was localized predominantly in the nucleus. Thus, SV5 blocks two distinct pathways of the innate immune response, both of which require the presence of the C-terminal specific cysteine-rich domain of the multifunctional SV5 V protein.

Astrocytes, not microglia, are the main cells responsible for viral persistence in Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus infection leading to demyelination

The BeAn strain of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) persists in the CNS and produces a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease that is an animal model for human multiple sclerosis (MS). The mechanisms leading to TMEV-induced demyelination are still under study but most likely involve both immune-mediated and virus induced damage to cells in the CNS, both depending on viral persistence. It is therefore important to identify the cells in which continued virus production is permitted. In this study, we looked at virus infection in primary astrocytes, microglia and oligodendrocytes, derived from brains of neonatal susceptible SJL/J mice. As evidenced by Western blots and immunocytochemistry, we were able to detect viral antigens in all these brain-derived cells. In addition, we extended the study to spinal cord tissues from mice suffering TMEV-induced disease. Immunohistochemistry staining with anti-TMEV sera and antibodies to specific cell markers detected viral antigens in all these cells. We then asked the question whether viral antigen present in these cells, particularly in microglia/macrophages, represented true viral replication or not. By using different techniques, including immunoprecipitation experiments and the very sensitive method of negative RNA detection through RNase protection assay, we show that both astrocytes and oligodendroglia permit de novo viral replication and viral protein synthesis but with only minimal cytopathic effects. Of these two cell types, astrocytes carry the brunt of viral replication. In microglia, on the other hand, viral replication is restricted since only minimal amounts of negative RNA copies can be demonstrated, while there are clear signs that some of these cells undergo apoptosis. These findings show that the main cell for viral replication is the astrocyte, rather than the microglia/macrophage. Most of the viral antigen present in macrophages, therefore, is probably the result of phagocytosis, rather than actual viral replication. In view of the demonstrated presence of viral replication in astrocytes and of great amounts of viral antigens in microglia/macrophages, it is possible that both types of cells act as antigen presenting cells during this immunopathological disease.

Shiga Toxin Type 1 Activates Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Gene Transcription and Nuclear Translocation of the Transcriptional Activators Nuclear Factor-κB and Activator Protein-1

Shiga toxins (Stxs) produced by Shigella dysenteriae 1 andEscherichia coli have been implicated in the pathogenesis of bloody diarrhea, acute renal failure, and neurologic abnormalities. The pathologic hallmark of Stx-mediated tissue damage is the development of vascular lesions in which endothelial cells are swollen and detached from underlying basement membranes. However, in vitro studies using human vascular endothelial cells demonstrated minimal Stx-induced cytopathic effects, unless the target cells were also incubated with the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or interleukin-1β (IL-1β). These cytokines have been shown to upregulate the expression of the Stx-binding membrane glycolipid globotriaosylceramide (Gb3). We show here that purified Stx1 induces TNF secretion by a human monocytic cell line, THP-1, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Treatment of cells with both lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and Stx1 results in augmented TNF production. Treatment with the nontoxic Gb3-binding subunit of Stx1 or with an anti-Gb3 monoclonal antibody did not trigger TNF production. Northern blot analyses show that Stx1 causes increased TNF-α production through transcriptional activation. Increased levels of TNF-α mRNA are preceded by the nuclear translocation of the transcriptional activators NF-κB and AP-1 and the loss of cytoplasmic IκB-α. These data are the first to show that, in addition to direct cytotoxicity, Stxs possess cellular signaling capabilities sufficient to induce the synthesis of cytokines that may be necessary for target cell sensitization and the development of vascular lesions.

Shiga Toxin Type 1 Activates Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Gene Transcription and Nuclear Translocation of the Transcriptional Activators Nuclear Factor-κB and Activator Protein-1

AbstractShiga toxins (Stxs) produced by Shigella dysenteriae 1 andEscherichia coli have been implicated in the pathogenesis of bloody diarrhea, acute renal failure, and neurologic abnormalities. The pathologic hallmark of Stx-mediated tissue damage is the development of vascular lesions in which endothelial cells are swollen and detached from underlying basement membranes. However, in vitro studies using human vascular endothelial cells demonstrated minimal Stx-induced cytopathic effects, unless the target cells were also incubated with the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or interleukin-1β (IL-1β). These cytokines have been shown to upregulate the expression of the Stx-binding membrane glycolipid globotriaosylceramide (Gb3). We show here that purified Stx1 induces TNF secretion by a human monocytic cell line, THP-1, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Treatment of cells with both lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and Stx1 results in augmented TNF production. Treatment with the nontoxic Gb3-binding subunit of Stx1 or with an anti-Gb3 monoclonal antibody did not trigger TNF production. Northern blot analyses show that Stx1 causes increased TNF-α production through transcriptional activation. Increased levels of TNF-α mRNA are preceded by the nuclear translocation of the transcriptional activators NF-κB and AP-1 and the loss of cytoplasmic IκB-α. These data are the first to show that, in addition to direct cytotoxicity, Stxs possess cellular signaling capabilities sufficient to induce the synthesis of cytokines that may be necessary for target cell sensitization and the development of vascular lesions.

Replication of murine coronaviruses in mouse embryonic stem cell lines in vitro.

Replication of murine coronaviruses in eight mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell lines of several genetic backgrounds was examined. Both mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) type 2 and MHV, strain A59 replicated well with no or minimal cytopathic effect in all the ES cell lines tested. The results suggest the possibility that MHV-infected ES cells may disseminate MHV in mouse colonies due to embryo manipulation.

Effect of multiplicity of infection on Listeria monocytogenes pathogenicity for HeLa and Caco-2 cell lines.

The significance of multiplicity of infection (moi) for invasiveness and intracellular multiplication of Listeria monocytogenes in Caco-2 and HeLa cell monolayers was investigated. A low moi (1:1) resulted in recovery of significantly more L. monocytogenes when these bacteria were used to infect either cell line. At high moi (100:1), the percentage recovery of bacteria was comparatively low, even after extensive invasion and intracellular multiplication. Microscopic analysis of Giemsa- and immunofluorescent-stained infected monolayers revealed extensive cell disruption and exposure of the internalised bacteria to the bactericidal effect of gentamicin. By contrast, a low moi resulted in minimal cytopathic effects and evidence of cell to cell spread by L. monocytogenes was consistently observed in HeLa and J774, but not in Caco-2 cell lines. Nevertheless, the use of HeLa and Caco-2 cell monolayers enabled a clear distinction to be made between invasive (L. monocytogenes) and non-invasive Listeria spp. (L. innocua, L. ivanovii, L. seeligeri, L. grayi, L. welshimeri and L. monocytogenes LLO19). The use of a low moi with HeLa cell monolayers provided a reliable tissue-culture model of infection for L. monocytogenes.

Helper virus-free transfer of herpes simplex virus type 1 plasmid vectors into neural cells.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) plasmid vectors have promise for genetic intervention in the brain, but several problems caused by the helper virus have compromised their utility. To develop a helper virus-free packaging system for these vectors, the DNA cleavage/packaging signals were deleted from a set of cosmids that represents the HSV-1 genome. Following cotransfection into cells, this modified cosmid set supported replication and packaging of vector DNA. However, in the absence of the DNA cleavage/packaging signals, the HSV-1 genome was not packaged, and consequently vector stocks were free of detectable helper virus. In the absence of helper virus, the vectors efficiently infected rat neural cells in culture or in the brain with minimal cytopathic effects. beta-galactosidase-positive cells were observed for at least 1 month in vivo, and vector DNA persisted for this period. This system may facilitate studies on neuronal physiology and potential therapeutic applications.

Determination of the inactivation kinetics of hepatitis A virus in human plasma products using a simple TCID50 assay

The transmission of hepatitis A virus (HAV) associated with use of FVIII concentrates has been reported in a number of European countries. All of these cases were associated with products inactivated by use of solvent detergent treatment. These reports have emphasized the necessity of evaluating virus inactivation methodologies for their ability to inactivate HAV. Such studies had previously been hampered by the difficulties associated with titration of HAV, because of the minimal cytopathic effect of most strains of virus on tissue culture cells. We have developed a simple, rapid, TCID50 virus titration system using a cytopathic strain of HAV which allows extensive kinetic studies of HAV inactivation. This has been compared with the standard radioimmunofocus forming (RFF) assay which is presently used for HAV titration. The reproducibility of the TCID50 assay was demonstrated to be equal to that of the RFF assay and the 95% confidence intervals for titres determined by both assays were also equal. The thermal stability of the cytopathic strain was studied and shown to be equivalent to that of a noncytopathic strain. The kinetics of HAV inactivation by heating in aqueous solution were compared to those of HIV-1 and a number of model viruses. It was demonstrated that HAV was highly stable, with 5 hours heat treatment at 60 degrees C in aqueous solution being required to inactivate 5.8 log10 virus. In contrast to heating in aqueous solution, lyophilization followed by 1 hour vapor heating at 60 degrees C was sufficient to inactivate 5.9 log10 HAV.

Adaptation to persistent growth in the H9 cell line renders a primary isolate of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 sensitive to neutralization by vaccine sera.

Seven diverse primary isolates of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) were examined and found to be refractory to neutralization by antisera to recombinant gp120 (rgp120) protein from HIV-1 MN. This stands in marked contrast to the sensitivity exhibited by certain laboratory-adapted viruses. To understand the difference between primary and laboratory-adapted viruses, we adapted the primary virus ACH 168.10 to growth in the FDA/H9 cell line. ACH 168.10 was chosen because the V3 region of gp120 closely matches that of MN. After 4 weeks, infection became evident. The virus (168A) replicated in FDA/H9 cells with extensive cytopathic effect but was unchanged in sensitivity to antibody-mediated neutralization. Thus, growth in cell lines is not sufficient to render primary virus sensitive to neutralization. The 168A virus was, however, partially sensitive to CD4 immunoadhesin (CD4-Ig). Adaptation was continued to produce a persistently infected FDA/H9 culture that displayed minimal cytopathic effect. The virus (168C) was now sensitive to neutralization by MN rgp120 vaccine sera and by MN-specific monoclonal antibodies and showed increased sensitivity to HIVIG and CD4-Ig. 168C encoded three amino acid changes in gp120, including one within the V3 loop (I-166-->R, I-282-->N, G-318-->R). MN-specific monoclonal antibodies bound equally to the surface of cells infected with either neutralization-resistant or -sensitive virus. The coincidence of changes in neutralization sensitivity with changes in cell tropism and cytopathic effect suggests a common underlying mechanism(s) acting through the whole of the envelope protein complex.

Infection of a human leukemia K-562 cell line with Semliki Forest virus.

Infection of the human leukemia hematopoietic stem cell line, K-562, with Semliki Forest virus (SFV) can be characterized by three stages: (1) an early virus-proliferating stage lasting 1 to 4 days post-infection (pi) in which infectious virus is produced in high titers (10(3)pfu/cell) but in which there is minimal cytopathic effect. All cells appear viable by trypan blue dye exclusion, although they do not proliferate, and DNA and cell protein synthesis decrease to less than 3% of uninfected controls within 24 hours; (2) an intermediate stage extending from day 5 to about day 24-30 pi in which the amount of infectious virus declines to low levels. During this stage, viral protein synthesis decreases to undetectable levels, although viral gylcoproteins are readily demonstrated by immunofluorescence and by immunoblot; however, capsid protein appears to degrade within 21 days pi. Cell numbers remain constant but the viability of the non-proliferating cells determined by trypan blue exclusion could not be determined with confidence; (3) a final long-term stage in which viral glycoproteins, E1 and E2, are detectable by immunoblots and immunofluorescence for many months but the cells are metabolically inactive and do not synthesize viral proteins. These non-viable cells do not lyse for as long as 2 years.