Cell lines used for the selection of recombinant baculovirus

Summary Four insect cell lines were used to isolate two recombinant baculoviruses which had theβ-galactosidase (β-gal) gene for colorimetric assay purposes. Plaque assays were performed using twoTrichoplusia ni cell lines: BTI-TN-5B1-4 and TN-368, and twoSpodoptera frugiperda cell lines: IPLB-SF-21AE and SF9. The number of plaques (occlusion positive and blueβ-gal⁺ recombinants) formed in theTrichoplusia cells was higher than in theSpodoptera cells. The appearance ofAutographa californica NPV polyhedra was also faster in theT. ni cell lines. The effect of cell passage on the plaque formation proved to be critical when two different passages of the SF9 cells were tested. The higher passage produced a lower viral titration. The size and time of appearance of the plaques was also different.