Persistent infection of Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells by Bunyamwera virus

Elliott, R.M. and Wilkie, M.L. (1986) Persistent infection of Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells by Bunyamwera virus. Virology, 150(1), pp. 21-32. (doi: 10.1016/0042-6822(86)90262-X)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0042-6822(86)90262-X

Abstract

Two cell lines persistently infected with Bunyamwera virus have been established from the C6/36 clone of Aedes albopictus cells. The cells express Bunyamwera virus antigens as detected by immunofluorescence and are resistant to superinfection with Bunyamwera virus and other bunyaviruses, but not Dugbe virus (Nairovirus) nor vesicular stomatitis virus. The virus released from the persistently infected cells developed an altered cloudy or “bull's-eye” plaque morphology with increasing passage level, and a greater temperature sensitivity at 39.5° than standard virus. The persistent virus interfered strongly with the replication of standard Bunyamwera virus in normal C6/36 cells and to a much lesser extent in BHK cells. Interference was not noted with other bunyaviruses or vesicular stomatitis virus. The persistent virus from one cell line, C6/36-PI L0, had a slower migrating nucleocapsid protein on polyacrylamide gels. Analysis of the RNA in persistently infected cells or in persistent virus by Northern blot hybridization with cloned cDNA probes showed that the major viral RNA species was the S segment, while the L and M RNA segments were barely detectable. Our results indicate that Bunyamwera virus can readily establish persistent infections in mosquito cells, and that persistence is accompanied by the generation of viruses with variable genetic and phenotypic characteristics.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Elliott, Professor Richard
Authors: Elliott, R.M., and Wilkie, M.L.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Virology
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0042-6822
ISSN (Online):1096-0341

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