Variation in resistance of cells from inbred strains of mice to herpes simplex virus type 1.

By several criteria, replication of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in primary cell cultures from inbred strains of mice resistant (R) to this virus was less than in cultures from susceptible (S) strains. The difference was not obviously related to less efficient adsorption, to more efficient production of interferon or to a larger number of lysosomes. Except at high multiplicities of infection, cells from the F1 progeny of a cross between an R and an S strain replicated virus as well as cells from the S parent; this contrasts with strain-related resistance to intraperitoneal inoculation in vivo, which is inherited as a dominant characteristic. It is suggested that diminished ability of structural cells to replicate HSV-1 may contribute to resistance in the intact animal.