A model for persistent murine coronavirus infection involving maintenance via cytopathically infected cell centres.
The relatively cell impermeable hygromycin B was found to inhibit viral but not cellular protein synthesis when added to cultures of murine hepatitis virus (MHV)-infected or mock-infected mouse L-2 fibroblasts. Membrane permeability, as judged by influx of sodium ions, has previously been demonstrated to be an MHV E2 glycoprotein-mediated, cytopathic effect of MHV infection in L-2 cells. It is therefore likely that the selective effect of hygromycin B on viral protein synthesis is a reflection of an increased drug penetration into virus-infected cells. Using hygromycin B as a marker for MHV-induced cell membrane cytopathology, the effects of drug treatment on a persistent MHV infection in mouse LM-K fibroblasts were investigated. MHV persistence in LM-K cells, which normally involves a steady state infection of 0.1 to 1% of the cells in culture, was found to be cured by hygromycin B treatment, as measured by the elimination of infectious virus from the supernatant medium. Hygromycin B also resulted in the eradication of MHV-specific RNA from LM-K cells, arguing against the presence of a non-cytopathically or latently infected subpopulation of cells.
Macintyre
G
G
Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Wong
F
F
Anderson
R
R
D000818:Animals; D003333:Coronaviridae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006524:Hepatitis, Viral, Animal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D006921:Hygromycin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007739:L Cells; D051379:Mice; D006517:Murine hepatitis virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis
D014764:Viral Proteins; D006921:Hygromycin B