Comparative large-scale propagation of retroviruses from Old World (Mason-Pfizer monkey virus) and New World (squirrel monkey virus) primates.

A cell culture method is described for the large-scale (50 to 150 1) production of Mason-Pfizer monkey virus and squirrel monkey virus, two primate retroviruses. Virus production was achieved with suspension cultures of chronically infected A204 human rhabdomyosarcoma cells harvested and clarified in the logarithmic stages of cell culture growth. Methods for the subsequent purification and concentration of virus material utilizing zonal centrifugation also are described. Applications of these methodologies resulted in products that afforded biochemical comparisons of these agents in a manner such that host cell-derived variations were minimized. These data indicated that high levels of production and efficient recovery and purification of virus material were achieved.