Pathogenicity of Sendai viruses adapted into polarized MDCK cells.

Apically and basally released Sendai viruses (SeV) were obtained after infection of polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells grown on permeable membrane culture inserts. After 20 passages of adaptation in MDCK cells, we compared their in vivo and in vitro pathogenicity with the parental Mol-strain of SeV. These viruses had comparable in vitro pathogenicity, but the in vivo pathogenicities were varied. The apically released MDCK-adapted virus showed comparable pathogenicity with the parental virus, in contrast with the basally released MDCK-adapted virus, which showed in vivo attenuation.