title: Genomic and biological variation among commonly used lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus strains.
abstract: Six commonly used strains of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) [Armstrong (Arm) CA 1371, Arm E-350, WE, UBC, Traub and Pasteur C1PV 76001] were examined for distinctive genetic and biological properties. Agarose gel electrophoresis yielded no detectable differences among the L or S RNAs of these six strains. The RNase T1 fingerprint patterns of LCMV Arm CA 1371 and E-350 RNAs were similar, but in contrast, those of the WE, UBC, Traub and Pasteur strains differed from each other and from the pattern of LCMV Arm CA 1371 and E-350. There were also differences among LCMV strains in their biological properties. LCMV Arm CA 1371, E-350 and Pasteur caused severe vasculitis and focal necrotizing hepatitis in the livers of neonatally infected BALB/WEHI mice in contrast to LCMV WE which caused minimal lesions. LCMV Arm CA 1371 and E-350 were lethal for neonatal C3H/St mice. In contrast, LCMV WE, Traub and Pasteur induced persistent infections in C3H/St mice. Adult guinea-pigs resisted infection by Arm CA 1371, E-350, Traub and Pasteur but succumbed to WE and UBC LCMV strains. Our results show a wide variation in the RNA genomes of LCMV strains commonly used in research laboratories, and these genomic differences are accompanied by variations in the biological properties of LCMV strains.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005814:Genes, Viral; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D008216:Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / Q000382:microbiology; D008217:Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D009843:Oligoribonucleotides / Q000032:analysis; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D013997:Time Factors; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D009843:Oligoribonucleotides; D012367:RNA, Viral