Analysis of baby hamster kidney cells persistently infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.

Baby hamster kidney cells were persistently infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) virus (BHKpi cells). After 21 passages of the BHKpi cells infectious virus could no longer be detected; however, the cultures continued to produce LCM virus particles which interfered with the replication of infectious LCM virus in BHKpi cells and protected mice from a subsequent intracranial inoculation of infectious LCM virus. Cultures of BHKpi cells appeared to consist of three cell populations: uninfected cells, infected cells containing infectious LCM virus, and infected cells releasing interfering particles of LCM virus.