Intracellular development of membrane protein of influenza virus.

The intracellular development of membrane protein (MP) of influenza A virus was investigated by immunofluorescent staining. Monospecific antiserum was prepared by immunizing rabbits with MP eluted from SDS-polyacrylamide gels of SDS-disrupted NWS virions. In the productive infection in clone 1-5C-4 cells, MP antigen was first detected over the whole cell at 4 hr after infection, concomitantly with the appearance of hemagglutinin (HA) antigen in the cytoplasm, and bright nuclear fluorescence was then observed. Nucleoprotein (NP) antigen was detected in the nucleus prior to the appearance of fluorescence of MP antigen and thereafter the cytoplasmic fluorescence developed. Late in infection, all of these three antigens were observed predominantly in the cytoplasm with stronger fluorescence at the cell surface. Essentially similar findings were obtained in the abortive infections in L cells and BHK cells. The above results suggest that the membrane protein of influenza A virus is present in the nucleus as well as in the cytoplasm of infected cells.     

Morphogenesis of Type 2 Parainfluenza Virus Examined by Light and Electron Microscopy

The development of type 2 parainfluenza virus in HeLa and stable human amnion cells was examined by use of antisera labeled with fluorescein and ferritin. Serum containing antibody predominantly to soluble viral antigen gave specific fluorescence which was first detectable in small cytoplasmic foci 8 to 10 hr after initiation of infection. By 20 to 24 hr, when the production of infective virus and hemagglutinin was maximal, large perinuclear aggregates of fluorescence were observed which corresponded in distribution and time of appearance to the eosinophilic inclusions seen in similar preparations stained with azure eosin. The inclusions, examined by electron microscopy, were composed of fibrils, presumably viral ribonucleoprotein, which specifically bound the antibody labeled with ferritin. With antiserum to concentrated virus, on the other hand, specific fluorescence was most marked at the surface of infected cells. Foci of fluorescence at the surface represented segments of membrane which had become differentiated morphologically and antigenically to resemble the viral envelope. These were the sites where mature virions appeared. The latter exhibited marked pleomorphism; in some instances, particles were formed which lacked recognizable internal fibrils but which possessed an enclosing membrane bearing viral antigen. Filamentous forms showing an organized internal structure were also observed at the cell surface, but were never encountered in negatively stained preparations. No clear relationship between these filaments and the spherical or oval forms could be established. In negatively stained preparations, nucleocapsid released by rupture of viral particles was similar in appearance to that reported for other paramyxoviruses. It seems probable that this component has a helical configuration.     

Cytological, cytochemical and immuno-fluorescence studies with Dugbe virus - a new Nigerian tick-borne virus.

Dugbe virus, a new tick-borne arbovirus from Nigeria, was propagated in continuous porcine kidney (PS) cells, and the cytopathology studied by various staining techniques such as May-Grunwald-Giemsa, methyl-green pyronine, Feulgen, and immuno-fluorescence. The gross cytopathology was slight and infected cells continued to undergo normal mitotic divisions. The outstanding cytopathologic feature was the presence of large basophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies, which were pyroninophilic and Feulgen negative. By immunofluorescence these inclusions were shown to be depots of viral antigen; specific fluorescence was confined to the cytoplasm throughout the replication of the virus.     

Quantitative Assay of Paravaccinia Virus Based on Enumeration of Inclusion-Containing Cells

Bovine paravaccinia virus produces cytoplasmic inclusion bodies on infection of bovine embryonic kidney cells; these were easily recognized when stained with acridine orange or May-Grünwald-Giemsa stain. The inclusions could be shown to contain newly synthesized deoxyribonucleic acid by autoradiography. Counts of inclusion-containing cells decreased when virus suspensions were treated with immune serum before being used to inoculate cell cultures. At 24 hr after infection, the number of cells containing inclusions was directly proportional to the concentration of infectious virus inoculated. These observations provide the basis for a virus assay which is simpler, faster, and more sensitive than the plaque assay.     

Immunoelectron microscopic localization of herpes simplex virus antigens in infected cells using the unlabeled antibody-enzyme method.

Subcellular localization of viral antigens was demonstrated during viral morphogenesis using herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infected monolayers of rabbit cornea cells. The localization was done by immunoelectron microscopy employing the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) immunocytochemical technique and the postembedding staining method. The localization of viral antigens was followed at time intervals during infection from 2 to 19 hr. After exposure of sections to either polyspecific antibodies against total HSV-1 antigens or monospecific antibodies against HSV-1 antigen No. 8, specific immunological reaction products were identified both in the cytoplasm and nucleus after 2 hr. The distribution and quantity of reaction products varied in the infected cells during the viral morphogenesis. The present results on the subcellular distribution of the HSV-1 antigens are related to current biochemical findings.     

CYTOLOGICAL AND CYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF GREEN MONKEY KIDNEY CELLS INFECTED IN VITRO WITH SIMIAN VIRUS 40

Cytological and cytochemical studies of green monkey kidney cells infected with SV40 virus indicated that the type of lesion produced was influenced by the multiplicity of infection and that the lesions appeared later and progressed more slowly when the inoculum was diluted. The earliest change consisted of enlargement of ribonucleoprotein-containing spherules in the nucleolus (nucleolini). This was followed by rarefaction, with or without condensation, of the chromatin and the appearance of one or more homogeneous masses of inclusion material containing DNA, RNA, and non-histone protein which eventually filled the nucleus. In some instances the chromatin appeared to be directly transformed into inclusion material. In the later stages of infection, the ribonucleoprotein of the nucleolini was no longer stainable and material resembling the nucleoprotein of the intranuclear inclusions was found in the nucleolar vacuoles and in the cytoplasm. The nucleic acids in the inclusions were stained by toluidine blue, toluidine blue-molybdate, the Feulgen stain, and by methyl green. The stainable material was extractable by nuclease digestion or by hot trichloroacetic acid. Green or yellowish green staining by acridine orange was apparently due to binding of dye by protein and not by nucleic acids since the staining reaction was not reduced by extraction of nucleic acids by hot trichloroacetic acid. Extraction with pepsin in combination with ribonuclease or deoxyribonuclease removed practically all the inclusions from the cells; consequently they could not be stained with acridine orange. The cytochemical studies suggest that the use of pepsin together with nuclease is not a meaningful technique.     

Observations of Measles Virus Infection of Cultured Human Cells : I. A Study of Development and Spread of Virus Antigen by Means of Immunofluorescence

The development of measles virus in cultures of both primary human amnion cells and H.Ep.-2 cells has been followed by means of the indirect fluorescent antibody technic and concurrent light and electron microscope observations. The immunofluorescence studies revealed that there is a latent period for development of demonstrable measles virus antigen. In amnion cells the latent period lasted for at least 3 days. In contrast, virus antigen could be detected in H.Ep.-2 cells as early as 12 hours following inoculation. In each cell system virus antigen was seen in either nucleus or cytoplasm of infected cells, or both. Early localization tended to be perinuclear. Intranuclear fluorescence was generally less bright and less widespread than cytoplasmic fluorescence. Giant cells and long cytoplasmic spindle-shaped processes appeared regularly in infected cultures. Infectious virus was liberated into the nutrient fluid but when extracellular virus was inhibited by antibody, spread of infection from cell to cell in the monolayer still continued. Results obtained in concurrent electron microscope studies will be presented separately. Correlation of the results of the immunofluorescence and electron microscope studies suggests the possibility that much of the immunofluorescence observed might be due to antigen in virus precursors or components.     

Comparison of Acridine Orange, Acriflavine, and Bisbenzimide Stains for Enumeration of Bacteria in Clear and Humic Waters

In highly humic water, acridine orange precipitated with dissolved humic matter, resulting in such bright background fluorescence that no bacteria could be seen. With bisbenzimide staining, a similar precipitate was nonfluorescent but obscured many cells. An acriflavine staining method proved useful and reproducible both in clear and in humic waters. Fading of fluorescence was not a problem, and stained samples could be stored after preparation. The fluorescence of cells stained with acriflavine was weaker than that with acridine orange, making counting extremely small cells slightly more difficult with the former stain.     

Host-Cell Lysosomal Response to Two Strains of Herpes Simplex Virus

A correlation has been made between the host lysosomal responses to and release of infectious virus from HEp-2 cells infected with two strains of herpes simplex virus (HSV). Supravital staining with acridine orange was used for morphological studies of macroplaque and microplaque HSV-infected cells. With the progression of infection, cells infected with either microplaque HSV or macroplaque HSV were observed to undergo different lysosomal and cytopathic changes, which could be correlated with increased accumulation of acid phosphatase and infectious virus in the extracellular fluid.     

The Changes of the Vitality of Armillaria mellea and the Histochemicam Localization of Some Enzymes in the Hyphae Digested Period of Gastrodia elara

The changes of the vitality of Armillaria mellea of infecting corm of Gastrodia elata were observed by appling the live body staining method of acridine orange and by means of fluorescence microscopy. The green fluorescence of vitality was emitted by the first infected hyphae, the yellow one by the decrepit hyphae; but the orange to red fluorescence with the lost vitality were emitted by the fragmentary hyphae and clump form bodies. The large cells containing rich, RNA and protein had been confirmed by the method of the induced fluorescence which the acridine orange and by the method at pH 2.2 which the fast-green staining. The acid-phosphatase was mainly distributed within the cortical cells filled with the infected hyphae. There were few such deposits in the socalled large cells except their walls. The activity of the esterase was shown in the cortical cells filled with the infected hyphae. It were also shown in the clump form bodies and the collapsed nuclei of the large cells. The activities of adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase was notably shown in the cortical cells filled with the infected hyphae and the large cells.     

Assay of Variola Virus by the Fluorescent Cell-Counting Technique

A quantitative assay for infective variola virus particles was developed which is based on the enumeration of cells containing fluorescent viral antigen after infection of McCoy cell monolayers. The direct fluorescent-antibody technique was employed to stain cells. The efficiency of virus adsorption was markedly enhanced by centrifugation of virus inoculum onto McCoy cell monolayers at 500 x g for 15 min. By this procedure, a proportionality was obtained between the number of fluorescent cells and volume of inoculum. Observations on the sequential development of viral antigen within cells and counts of fluorescent cells showed that the optimal time for enumerating fluorescent cells was after an incubation period of 16 to 20 hr. A linear function existed between virus concentration and cell-infecting units. Fluorescent cells were distributed randomly in infected cover slip cell monolayers. The assay was demonstrated to be highly sensitive, precise, and reproducible.     

Effect of Polyions on the Infectivity of Rabies Virus in Tissue Culture: Construction of a Single-Cycle Growth Curve

The infectivity of fixed rabies virus in a number of cell lines has been shown to be markedly enhanced by the addition of protamine or diethylaminoethyl dextran to the virus inoculum. The polycations appear to exert their influence at a very early stage (adsorption or penetration or both) of virus-cell interaction. Immune globulin blocked infection completely when added up to 5 min after exposure and almost completely when added 5 to 15 min after infection. Antibody had no effect on adsorption and penetration when added to the inoculum 30 min or more after cells were exposed to the virus. Irradiation of BHK/21 cell monolayers with ultraviolet light increased their sensitivity to rabies virus. The events occurring after synchronous infection of cells in both irradiated and nonirradiated cell monolayers were followed by means of fluorescent-antibody staining and by intracerebral titration in mice. Virus-specific fluorescent antigen first appeared between 8 and 9 hr after infection, and in irradiated cultures there was a further lag period of 3 hr before infectious virus was produced intracellularly. Virus was first detected in the medium 12 to 15 hr after infection, and maximal yield of infectious virus was observed 48 hr after exposure. In nonirradiated cultures, formation of infectious virus was delayed, and the final yield of virus was also reduced.     

Propagation of human parvovirus B19 in primary culture of erythroid lineage cells derived from fetal liver.

Erythroid lineage cells derived from fetal liver were demonstrated to be target cells for human parvovirus B19 infection. B19 virus antigen-positive serum was inoculated into primary cultures containing erythroid lineage cells enriched from fetal liver. The B19 virus antigen was detected on about 5% of cells in the culture by immunofluorescence staining, and the stained cells were identified as erythroid lineage cells by double staining with anti-B19 virus-positive serum and anti-erythroid lineage monoclonal antibody. The immunofluorescence staining study also revealed that the B19 virus antigen localized in the nucleus and the periphery of cytoplasm. We also detected B19 virus DNA, which was generated by replication in the infected cells, not only in the cells but also in the culture supernatants, in which the amount of B19 DNA increased depending on the period of culture, indicating that the cells infected with B19 virus produced B19 virus and released it into the medium. The ability of B19 virus released into the medium to infect fetal erythroid lineage cells was demonstrated quantitatively. Because of the absence of any cytopathic effect of B19 virus during culture periods of at least 15 days, this culture system should be useful in the study of B19 virus replication and in vitro generation of B19 virus. In addition, the present study may contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of hydrops fetalis, which is probably associated with B19 virus infection during pregnancy.     

Examination of Virus-Infected Cultured Cells by Scanning Electron Microscopy

The scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to detect changes in morphology of BSC-1 cells after infection with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) or herpes simplex virus. The morphological changes of the infected cells were related to the length of time of infection and to the virus used. Extensive alteration to the cytoplasm could be seen 24 and 48 hr after infection with 10 and 320 TCID(50) of VSV. Within 24 hr after infection with 1 TCID(50) of herpes simplex, a few nuclei were swollen. However, 72 hr after infection with 100 TCID(50) of herpesvirus, many nuclei were swollen and appeared in large aggregates, probably representing formation of a polykaryocyte. Corresponding samples stained with May-Grunwald-Giemsa were observed in the light microscope and morphological changes were compared to those seen with the SEM.     

Classification of larval circulating hemocytes of the silkworm,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Bombyx mori</Emphasis>, by acridine orange and propidium iodide staining

Circulating hemocytes of the silkworm can be classified by fluorescence microscopy following staining with acridine orange and propidium iodide. Based on their fluorescence characteristics, three groups of circulating hemocytes can be distinguished. The first group, granulocytes and spherulocytes, is positive for acridine orange and contain bright green fluorescent granules when observed by fluorescence microscopy. In granulocytes, these green granules are heterogeneous and relatively small. In contrast, in spherulocytes, the green granules appear more homogenous and larger. The second group of hemocytes consists of prohemocytes and plasmatocytes. These cells appear faint green following staining with acridine orange and do not contain any green fluorescent granules in the cytoplasm. Prohemocytes are round, and their nuclei are dark and clear within a background of faint green fluorescence. Inside the nucleus there are one or two small bright green fluorescent bodies. Plasmatocytes are irregularly shaped and their nuclei are invisible. Oenocytoids belong to the third group, and their nuclei are positive for propidium iodide. Therefore, all five types of circulating hemocytes of the silkworm, including many peculiar ones that are difficult to identify by light microscopy, can now be easily classified by fluorescence microscopy following staining with acridine orange and propidium iodide. In addition, we show that hemocytes positive for acridine orange and propidium iodide are in fact living cells based on assays for hemocyte composition, phagocytosis, and mitochondrial enzyme activity.     

Selective fluorescence of zymogen granules of pancreatic acinar cells stained with hematoxylin and eosin.

Following staining with hematoxylin and eosin Y, paraffin sections of mouse pancreas were examined by transmitted light, epifluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Light microscopy revealed that the nuclei of pancreatic acinar cells were located basally, while the apices of the cells appeared eosinophilic, although the secretory granules were difficult to visualize. Under violet-blue light excitation, the zymogen granules at the apices of the acinar cells showed strong yellowish fluorescence; the other part of the cytoplasm was only faintly fluorescent and the nuclei and the supporting tissues were nonfluorescent. Confocal laser scanning microscopy resulted in clear pictures of the zymogen granules and their distribution within the cell. The fluorescent emission of zymogen granules was certainly the result of eosin Y staining, because hematoxylin is not a fluorochrome and the zymogen granules are not autofluorescent. Staining with eosin Y alone, however, did not result in clear fluorescent images of zymogen granules or any other cellular structures. Our observation shows that the fluorescence emission of eosin Y allows easy and precise recognition of zymogen granules of pancreatic cells.     

Selective fluorescence of zymogen granules of pancreatic acinar cells stained with hematoxylin and eosin

Following staining with hematoxylin and eosin Y, paraffin sections of mouse pancreas were examined by transmitted light, epifluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Light microscopy revealed that the nuclei of pancreatic acinar cells were located basally, while the apices of the cells appeared eosinophilic, although the secretory granules were difficult to visualize. Under violet-blue light excitation, the zymogen granules at the apices of the acinar cells showed strong yellowish fluorescence; the other part of the cytoplasm was only faintly fluorescent and the nuclei and the supporting tissues were nonfluorescent. Confocal laser scanning microscopy resulted in clear pictures of the zymogen granules and their distribution within the cell. The fluorescent emission of zymogen granules was certainly the result of eosin Y staining, because hematoxylin is not a fluorochrome and the zymogen granules are not autofluorescent. Staining with eosin Y alone, however, did not result in clear fluorescent images of zymogen granules or any other cellular structures. Our observation shows that the fluorescence emission of eosin Y allows easy and precise recognition of zymogen granules of pancreatic cells.     

Selective fluorescence of zymogen granules of pancreatic acinar cells stained with hematoxylin and eosin

Following staining with hematoxylin and eosin Y, paraffin sections of mouse pancreas were examined by transmitted light, epifluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Light microscopy revealed that the nuclei of pancreatic acinar cells were located basally, while the apices of the cells appeared eosinophilic, although the secretory granules were difficult to visualize. Under violet-blue light excitation, the zymogen granules at the apices of the acinar cells showed strong yellowish fluorescence; the other part of the cytoplasm was only faintly fluorescent and the nuclei and the supporting tissues were nonfluorescent. Confocal laser scanning microscopy resulted in clear pictures of the zymogen granules and their distribution within the cell. The fluorescent emission of zymogen granules was certainly the result of eosin Y staining, because hematoxylin is not a fluorochrome and the zymogen granules are not autofluorescent. Staining with eosin Y alone, however, did not result in clear fluorescent images of zymogen granules or any other cellular structures. Our observation shows that the fluorescence emission of eosin Y allows easy and precise recognition of zymogen granules of pancreatic cells.     

Acridine Orange Staining and Fluorescence of Nucleic Acids in Plasmodia and Associated Host Erythrocytes

Acridine orange in daily doses of 1, 2 and 4 mg for 4 days was given to chicks averaging 50 gm in weight. Dosage was started 1, 2 and 3 days after infection with Plasmodium gallinaceum. Such doses were sufficient to stain the parasite in vivo, as shown by its bright fluorescence in UV light, but did not exhibit any antimalarial action. Staining of fresh blood samples from infected chicks with 0.01% acridine orange in Krebs-Ringer containing 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 6.0-6.2) resulted in differential fluorescence of the nucleic acids of the plasmodia, to show nuclear DNA bright green and cytoplasmic RNA orange-red. After optimum acid hydrolysis, as used for the Feulgen reaction, staining with 0.1% acridine orange produced intense red fluorescence of the nuclear DNA in the plasmodia. Nuclear DNA of the chick erythrocytes showed bright fluorescence both in vivo and in vitro.