Growth characteristics of two rhinovirus strains in WI-26 and monkey kidney cells.

Haff, R. F. (Smith Kline & French Laboratories, Philadelphia, Pa.), B. Wohlsen, E. E. Force, and R. C. Stewart. Growth characteristics of two rhinovirus strains in WI-26 and monkey kidney cells. J. Bacteriol. 91:2339-2342. 1966.-Viruses with 1059 and HGP serotype and with human and monkey host range characteristics, respectively, were employed. Adsorption kinetics of the 1059 and HGP strains to WI-26 cells, and HGP to Green African monkey kidney cells (MKC), were similar. Fifty per cent of the virus was adsorbed to cell monolayers within 10 min; adsorption was essentially complete by 2 hr. The 1059 strain failed to adsorb to MKC, at least to an appreciable extent. Lack of receptors for adsorption of 1059 accounts for the inability of this cell to support multiplication of the virus. It is probable that MKC are refractory to infection with other H strains of rhinovirus for the same reason. Single-step multiplication cycles have been described for the HGP strain in WI-26 and MKC cultures and for the 1059 strain in WI-26 cells. In both cells, HGP exhibited a latent period of 7 hr. Increase of intracellular and cell-associated virus appeared somewhat prior to that of extracellular virus. Maximal titers were attained by 9 to 10 hr. In contrast, initial increase of 1059 in WI-26 cells occurred after 10 hr. Titer rose to peak level 15 hr after infection. Yield of 1059 in WI-26 cells was also fivefold lower than that of HGP in either cell system.