Studies of L cells persistently infected with VSV: factors involved in the regulation of persistent infection.

Infection of interferon-treated L cells with VSV led frequently to the establishment of L cells persistently infected with VSV (LVSV cells). These cells were characterized by the following properties; (I) no supplement of antiviral factors such as anti-VSV antiserum, interferon, was required for their maintenance; (2) virus antigens were detected in about 5 to 30% of the cells by immunofluorescence staining; (3) the cells were not only resistant to superinfection by homologous virus, but also resistant to challenge by heterologous viruses such as Mengo virus; (4) the cells were destroyed by co-cultivation with heterologous cells susceptible to VSV infection; (5) the cells could be cured by serial cultivation in medium containing antiviral antibody, and the cured cells were as susceptible to VSV as normal L cells. It was shown that at least three factors (interferon, defective interfering [DI] particles and a selection of small-plaque temperature-sensitive [ts] mutants) took part in the maintenance of LVSV cells although it was difficult to evaluate exactly the relative importance of these factors. The effect of antiviral antibody, interferon and incubation temperature upon the maintenance of LVSV cells are discussed further.