Semliki Forest Virus in HEp-2 Cell Cultures

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The growth and development of Semliki Forest virus (SFV), an arbovirus of serological group A, in HEp-2 cells in tissue culture was examined by various techniques at frequent intervals. Infectivity and fluorescent-antibody studies demonstrated the presence of infective virus and viral antigens within the cells at 8 hr after infection. The antigen was particulate and distributed throughout the cytoplasm. Thereafter, there was rapid progression of virus production and cell destruction. By electron microscopy, tubular structures bounded by a fine membrane were observed in cytoplasm at 12 hr. Rows of small (25 mμ) virus particles were often present on the outer surface of these membranes, and at later times they became progressively more encrusted with the small virus particles. These structures subsequently increased rapidly in number, size, and complexity, and the space between the membrane and the tubules increased, thus forming vacuoles which contained tubules and were covered with the small particles. At later times (24 hr and later) larger (42 to 50 mμ) particles were observed, usually inside of the vacuoles. These larger particles (and occasionally the smaller ones) were also seen at the cell periphery and in the extracellular space. The large SFV particles appear to form by three distinct processes: (i) from the smaller particles, (ii) by development on an intravacuolar membrane, and (iii) at the ends of the tubules. The mode of development of SFV is unique among viruses studied to date, but in some characteristics it resembles that of other group A arboviruses. Its development differs from that of most arboviruses of group B and other serological groups.

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