A novel method for increased yield of immunocompetent virus for vaccine production

Cultured human cells exposed to the pesticide emulsifier Atlox, 6 to 8 h prior to Infection with influenza A virus, increased virus production approximately 10-fold. Antibodies against the enhanced virus neutralized plaque formation and reacted equally well with non-enhanced virus in serological tests (haemagglutination-inhibition and radioimmunoassays). The procedure has great potential in cutting costs of production for some virus vaccines.The author is with the Department of Biology, University of Bahrain, PO Box 32038, Isa Town, Bahrain, Arabian Gulf.     

Reactivation and mutagenesis of herpes virus in 5-azacytidine-treated monkey kidney cells

Enhanced survival of UV-damaged herpes simplex virus and Simian virus 40 was investigated in CV-1 monkey cells treated with inhibitors of DNA methylation such as 5-azacytidine and ethionine. Survival of UV-irradiated virus was higher in treated cells than in untreated cells. Survival of herpes virus irradiated with 60Co gamma-ray was not enhanced in the treated cells. The frequency of forward mutation of herpes virus increased in 5-azacytidine-treated cells. Relative content of methylcytosine was reduced in the cells treated with 5-azacytidine. Therefore a mechanism similar to UV-enhanced reactivation of virus was operating in the cells with hypomethylated DNA.     

Inhibition of Arbovirus Protein Synthesis by Interferon

Infection of cells treated with guanidine and actinomycin D and then washed to remove the guanidine inhibition of virus growth had no effect on antiviral activity already established by interferon. Protein synthesis in interferon-treated cells infected under these conditions was decreased as compared to control cells similarly treated but not exposed to interferon. In these control cells, analysis by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that six proteins were produced during the first hour after guanidine reversal. Five of these proteins have been previously identified as probably being viral in origin. In interferon-treated cells, only a single major protein was produced. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis by Semliki Forest virus during the first hour after guanidine reversal was markedly depressed by incubation at 42 C, but no inhibition of total virus protein synthesis was seen; this finding suggested that much of the virus protein produced in the first hour after guanidine reversal was carried out by input virus RNA. Interferon was fully active in cells incubated at 42 C. The results suggested that interferon inhibits the production of Semliki Forest virus proteins ordinarily produced under the direction of the virus genome.     

The use of a complementary DNA probe to detect accumulation of mengo RNA in infected cells pretreated with interferon.

Complementary DNA (cDNA) from Mengo virus RNA has been synthesized and used as a probe to measure the synthesis and accumulation of viral RNA in Mengo infected L cell cultures, treated or untreated with interferon. Under experimental conditions used (200 units interferon/ml and 50 virus plaque-forming units/cell) results show that there is some synthesis of Mengo virus RNA in cells treated with interferon. One hour after infection, treated cells contain three times less viral RNA than untreated cells; five hours after infection, this difference has increased to ten fold. As in the control, no fragmented Mengo virus RNA molecules were found in interferon treated cells. The smaller recovery of infectious particles from interferon treated cells as compared to RNA accumulation suggests that not only RNA accumulation is inhibited but also a step posterior in viral maturation.     

Guinea pig erythrocytes, after their contact with influenza virus, acquire the ability to activate the human alternative complement pathway through virus-induced desialation of the cells

Guinea pig erythrocytes that had been exposed to influenza A virus activated the alternative complement pathway in whole human serum in the absence of natural antibodies. Because all virus particles were eluted from the treated cells, activation was not dependent on antiviral antibodies or on virus particles themselves. The relative capacity of treated erythrocytes to activate the alternative pathway was dependent on the amount of virus to which the cells had been exposed and was directly related to the amount of sialic acid removed from the erythrocyte membrane during incubation with either whole virus particles or purified viral sialidase. C3b bound to cells that had been treated with virus, and P-stabilized amplification convertase sites P,C3b,Bb formed on these cells, exhibited increased resistance to the action of the regulatory proteins beta-1H and C3b Ina compared with C3b and P,C3b,Bb on untreated, nonactivating cells. The acquired resistance of the cell-bound, P-stabilized amplification convertase to decay-dissociation by beta-1H was directly related to the activating capacity of the treated cells in whole serum (r = 0.95) and to the amount of sialic acid removed from the cells by the virus (r = 0.98). Desialation represents a specific alteration of the cell surface by which a nonimmune host, through activation of the alternative pathway, may deposit C3b on a target cell that had been exposed to influenza virus and may lyse virus virus-modified cells during orthomyxovirus infections.     

Host-cell reactivation of UV-irradiated and chemically-treated herpes simplex virus-1 by xeroderma pigmentosum, XP heterozygotes and normal skin fibroblasts

The host-cell reactivation of UV-irradiated and N-acetoxy-2-acetylamino-fluorene-treated herpes simplex virus type 1 strain MP was studied in normal and xeroderma pigmentosum human skin fibroblasts. Virus treated with either agent demonstrated lower survival in XP cells from complementation groups A, B, C and D than in normal fibroblasts. The relative reactivation ability of XP cells from the different genetic complementation groups was found to be the same for both irradiated and chemically treated virus. In addition, the inactivation kinetics for virus treated with either agent in the XP variant were comparable to that seen in normal skin fibroblasts. The addition of 2 or 4 mmoles caffeine to the post-infection assay medium had no effect on the inactivation kinetics of virus treated by either agent in the XP variant or in XP cells from the different genetic complementation groups. Treatment of the virus with nitrogen mustard resulted in equivalent survival in normal and XP genetic complementation group D cells. No apparent defect was observed in the ability of XP heterozygous skin fibroblasts to repair virus damaged with up to 100 μg N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene per ml. These findings indicate that the repair of UV-irradiated and N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene-treated virus is accomplished by the same pathway or different pathways sharing a common intermediate step and that the excision defect of XP cells plays little if any role in the reactivation of nitrogen mustard treated virus.     

The amino-terminal one-third of pseudorabies virus glycoprotein gIII contains a functional attachment domain, but this domain is not required for the efficient penetration of Vero cells.

We have examined the attachment and penetration phenotypes of several glycoprotein gIII mutants of pseudorabies virus (PRV) and have identified the first one-third of gIII as a region that mediates efficient virus attachment to PK15 and Vero cells. This portion of gIII, amino acids 25 through 157 of the wild-type sequence, appeared to support attachment by binding to heparinlike molecules on cell surfaces. Virions containing the first one-third of gIII were sensitive to heparin competition and showed greatly reduced infectivity on cells treated with heparinase. PRV virions lacking the first one-third of the mature glycoprotein exhibited only residual binding to cells if challenged by vigorous washing with phosphate-buffered saline at 2 h postinfection at 4 degrees C. This residual binding was resistant to heparin competition, and strains lacking the first one-third of gIII were able to infect cells treated with heparinase as effectively as untreated cells. When we determined the penetration phenotypes for each strain, we found that gIII-mediated virus attachment was necessary for timely penetration of PK15 cells but remarkably was not required for efficient virus penetration of Vero cells. Moreover, wild-type PRV was actually prohibited from rapid penetration of Vero cells by a gIII-heparan sulfate interaction. Our results indicate that initial virus binding to heparan sulfate via glycoprotein gIII is not required for efficient PRV infection of all cell types and may in fact be detrimental in some instances.     

Different Mechanisms of Inhibition of DNA Synthesis by (E)-5-(2-Bromovinyl)-2′-deoxyuridine in Cells Transfected with Gene for Thymidine Kinase of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and in Cells Infected with the Virus

Abstract

The effect of (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2′-deoxyuridine (BVDU) on deoxyribonucleoside 5′-triphosphate pools was studied in cells transfected with gene for thymidine kinase of herpes simplex virus type 1 and cells infected with the virus. When infected cells were treated with BVDU, the triphosphate form of the nucleoside analog was detected. When transfected cells were treated with BVDU, the triphosphate form was not detected and the pattern of changes in the pools was the same as after 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine treatment. BVDU seems to inhibit DNA synthesis differently in the two cell lines and nucleotide metabolism in the transfected cells was not the same as in the infected cells.     

Induction of chromosomal aberrations in CHO cells by restriction endonucleases: effects of blunt- and cohesive-ended double-strand breaks in cells treated by 'pellet' methods

In recent reports it has been suggested that restriction endonucleases (RE) producing cohesive-ended double-strand breaks (dsb), are of comparable effectiveness to those producing blunt-ended dsb in causing chromosomal aberrations (CA) in mammalian cells. In several of these reports, trypsinized cells or suspension cultures were treated as cell 'pellets' in small volumes containing RE and storage buffers. In this study we have examined this by comparing 2 'pellet' methods in which trypsinized Chinese hamster cells were treated with RE in small volumes, after cells were centrifuged to a pellet. In the first method, cells were treated with RE in storage buffer as previously reported (e.g. Obe et al., 1985). In the second method, cells were treated as pellets with Sendai virus and purified RE. For both methods we show that the frequency of chromosomal aberrations was higher in cells treated with RE causing blunt-ended dsb than those causing cohesive-ended dsb. The first method however was found to lead to substantial loss in cell viability. The results strengthen the conclusion drawn from our earlier work, using treatment of attached V79 or CHO-K1 cells with Sendai virus, that cohesive-ended dsb are less effective than blunt-ended dsb in causing chromosomal aberrations.     

Reactivation of herpes simplex virus in a cell line inducible for simian virus 40 synthesis

The reactivation of UV-irradiated herpes simplex virus (HSV) was investigated in irradiated and unirradiated transformed hamster cells in which infectious simian virus 40 (SV40) can be induced. Reactivation was enhanced when the cells were treated with UV light or mitomycin C prior to infection with HSV. The IV dose-response curve of this enhanced reactivation was strikingly similar to that found for induction of SV40 virus synthesis in cells treated under identical condictions. This is the first time that two SOS functions described in bacteria have been demonstrated in a single mammalian cell line.     

Virus-specific changes in mouse cells inoculated with a strain of human cytomegalovirus.

Cytopathic changes and virus-specific antigens developed in, then disappeared from, mouse fibroblasts infected by a strain of human cytomegalovirus (CMV), but their disappearance was delayed in cells treated with idoxuridine prior to infection. The replication of vesicular stomatitis virus and herpes simplex virus was restricted in human CMV-infected mouse cells as long as human CMV-specific antigens were present. Virus-specific antigens could be induced by treatment with idoxuridine or arginine deficiency in mouse cells which had previously turned "negative".     

Wild-type herpes simplex virus 1 blocks programmed cell death and release of cytochrome c but not the translocation of mitochondrial apoptosis-inducing factor to the nuclei of human embryonic lung fibroblasts

Programmed cell death activated by herpes simplex virus 1 mutants can be caspase dependent or independent depending on the nature of the infected cell. The recently discovered mitochondrial apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) on activation is translocated to the nucleus and induces programmed cell death that is caspase independent. To assess the role of AIF and also to assay apoptosis-related events in primary human embryonic lung (HEL) fibroblasts, cells were mock infected or infected with wild-type virus previously shown not to induce apoptosis in continuous lines of primate cells or with the d120 mutant lacking infected cell protein no. 4 (ICP4) and were shown to induce apoptosis in all cell lines tested. Cells exposed to dexamethasone or osmotic shock induced by sorbitol were the positive controls. The results were as follows: (i) AIF was translocated to the nucleus in all infected cell cultures and in cells treated with dexamethasone or sorbitol, but cells infected with the wild type-virus showed no evidence of undergoing programmed death. (ii) Cytochrome c was released from mitochondria of cells infected with the d120 mutant or exposed to dexamethasone or sorbitol but not from mitochondria in cells treated with sorbitol and infected with the wild-type virus. (iii) Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase was cleaved in mock-infected cells exposed to sorbitol or dexamethasone and in cells infected with the d120 mutant but not in either untreated cells infected with wild-type virus or cells exposed to sorbitol and then infected with wild-type virus. In contrast to HEp-2 cells, neither d120 infection nor treatment with dexamethasone or sorbitol caused fragmentation of DNA in HEL fibroblasts. Electron microscopic examination showed chromatin condensation and vacuolization in a fraction of cells infected with d120 but not in wild-type virus-infected cells or cells treated with dexamethasone or sorbitol. We conclude that AIF is translocated to the nucleus in infected cells but apoptosis does not ensue in wild-type-infected cells. HEL fibroblasts infected with the d120 virus exhibit symptoms of classical apoptosis, such as cytochrome c release and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase observed also in cells undergoing caspase 3-dependent programmed cell death in which AIF is either not involved or not a contributory factor.     

Enhancement of varicella-zoster virus replication in cultured human embryonic lung cells treated with the pesticide carbaryl

In studies designed to determine the factors responsible for control of herpesvirus replicaton in an infected cell, we examined the interaction of varicella-zoster (VZ) virus-infected human embryonic lung cells with the pesticide carbaryl. The replication of the cell-associated VZ virus was enhanced 2- to 13-fold as compared to control cultures in Sevin 4 Oil-treated cultures and in cultures treated with the pesticide's active ingredient, carbaryl. The replication of VZ virus in cultures teated with the base oil plus inert ingredients found in the pesticide formulation was not enhanced. Possible differences in cytotoxicity induced by Seven 4 Oil, pure carbaryl, or the base oil preparation were ruled out since treated and control cultures were shown to have similar numbers of viable cells when measured by trypan blue exclusion tests or by the ability of treated cells to form foci. A dose response study showed a decrease in viral enhancement in cells treated with decreasing carbaryl concentrations.     

Enhancement of varicella-zoster virus replication in cultured human embryonic lung cells treated with the pesticide carbaryl.

In studies designed to determine the factors responsible for control of herpesvirus replicaton in an infected cell, we examined the interaction of varicella-zoster (VZ) virus-infected human embryonic lung cells with the pesticide carbaryl. The replication of the cell-associated VZ virus was enhanced 2- to 13-fold as compared to control cultures in Sevin 4 Oil-treated cultures and in cultures treated with the pesticide's active ingredient, carbaryl. The replication of VZ virus in cultures teated with the base oil plus inert ingredients found in the pesticide formulation was not enhanced. Possible differences in cytotoxicity induced by Seven 4 Oil, pure carbaryl, or the base oil preparation were ruled out since treated and control cultures were shown to have similar numbers of viable cells when measured by trypan blue exclusion tests or by the ability of treated cells to form foci. A dose response study showed a decrease in viral enhancement in cells treated with decreasing carbaryl concentrations.     

The stimulation of 2-deoxy-D-glucose transport in control and virus-transformed cells by ethidium bromide

Recently we demonstrated that ethidium bromide altered the plasma and subcellular membrane glycoproteins in control and virus transformed cells. It is reported here that ethidium bromide also stimulated the membrane associated process of sugar transport. The K_m of the virus transformed cells and the ethidium bromide treated cells is the same as that of the control cells while the maximum velocity as compared to the control cells is significantly increased. The transport of 2-deoxy-D-glucose was inhibited by glucose, cytochalasin B and neuraminidase but was unaffected by variations in cell density or pH of the incubation medium.     

Studies of Laryngotracheitis Virus in Avian Tissue Cultures: III. Enhancement of Infectivity by Diethylaminoethyl-Dextran

Diethylaminoethyl-dextran (DEAE-D) enhanced the infectivity of laryngotracheitis virus (LTV) for chicken kidney (CK) cells when cultures were treated before inoculation with virus and when DEAE-D was present in the inoculum. Infectivity was not increased when cultures were treated after virus had adsorbed to cells; since infection was not synchronized, most of the virus had probably already penetrated the plasma membrane by the time DEAE-D was added. Maximal enhancement occurred when DEAE-D was present in the inoculum. Enhancement of a lesser degree occurred when virus and DEAE-D were mixed, diluted, and inoculated onto cultures. Adsorption of LTV at 37 C as compared to that at 5 C usually yields about a threefold greater number of plaques after a 2-hr adsorption period. However, when DEAE-D was incorporated in the inoculum, greater enhancement occurred at 5 C than at 37 C, and the number of plaques produced at both adsorption temperatures was about equal. Results are compatible with the hypothesis that increased adsorption is a factor in enhancement of infectivity of LTV by DEAE-D.     

Host Cell Regulation of Induction of Epstein-Barr Virus

When Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) negative cells (Raji) were treated with iododeoxyuridine, only the early antigen (EA) component was induced. There was no significant increase in EBV DNA and no virus particles were observed. Somatic-cell hybrids were prepared from the fusion of Raji and D98 cells (D98/Raji). When these cells were treated with iododeoxyuridine, early antigen EBV DNA, and virus particles were synthesized. These data suggest cellular control over the expression of the EBV genome.     

Antiviral Effect of Cyclic Amines on a 1969 Isolate of A2 Influenza

Cyclooctylamine and amantadine inhibit the growth of 1969 isolates of A(2) influenza virus to a significant degree. There was slightly more inhibition of the virus by the cyclooctylamine (COA) than the amantadine; however, the dose of COA used was greater than the dose of amantadine. There was no significant difference between flasks treated 3 or 4 hr and those treated 2 hr. However, there was a curious relationship of more plaques in the flasks exposed to the two drugs for the longer intervals. Other experiments done with slight modifications in technique support the antiviral effect demonstrated in this experiment when the cell system is pretreated prior to virus infection. In two experiments, pretreating the cells for 2 hr with COA at 100 mug/ml but removing the drug solution and washing the cells prior to virus inoculation revealed no differences in plaque counts between controls and treated cells. This would indicate that the antiviral effect required the presence of the drug during the early stages of penetration of the cells by the virus particles.     

African swine fever virus interaction with microtubules

The role of microtubules in intracellular transport of African swine fever virus (ASFV) and virus-induced inclusions was studied by immunofluorescence using anti-ASFV and anti-tubulin antibodies, by electron microscopy of infected Vero cells and by in vitro binding of virions to purified microtubules. MTC, a reversible colchicine analogue, was used to depolymerize microtubules. In cells treated with MTC multiple large inclusions containing ASFV antigens and particles were observed in the cytoplasm. Removal of the drug lead to migration and fusion of the inclusions at a perinuclear location. To study the effect of microtubule repolymerization on virus particle distribution, the particles were counted in thin sections of MTC treated cells and at different times after removal of the drug. In cells treated with MTC 6.8% and 3.6% of the virus particles were found respectively in the cytoplasm and at the cell membrane while 38% of the particles were located around the virosome. With reversal of the drug effect the number of virus particles around the virosomes progressively decreased to 10% at 2 h while the number of particles in the cytoplasm and at the cell membrane increased. At 2 h after removal of the drug 33.5% of the particles were found budding from the cell membrane. Virus particles were found closely associated with microtubules in cytoskeletons obtained by Triton X-100 extraction of taxol treated cells. The association of virus particles with microtubules was also observed in vitro using purified microtubules and virus particles. The results show that microtubules are involved in the transport of African swine fever virus particles from the assembly site to the cell surface and in the movement and fusion of the virus inclusions.