Characterization of the Halle SSPE Measles Virus Isolate

• Published in: Journal of general virology 1982-03, Vol.59 (1), p.57-64
• Main Authors: McKimm-Breschkin, Jennifer L, Breschkin, Alan M, Rapp, Fred
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Cricetinae; Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral; Interferons - biosynthesis; measles virus; SSPE Virus - isolation & purification; SSPE Virus - pathogenicity; SSPE Virus - physiology; Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis - microbiology; Temperature; Viral Interference; Viral Plaque Assay
• ISSN: 0022-1317; 1465-2099
• DOI: 10.1099/0022-1317-59-1-57

Department of Microbiology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, U.S.A. The Hallé subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) measles virus isolate and its plaque-purified progeny were investigated to determine whether any unusual properties could be associated with its ability to cause persistent infection. Three types of plaque-purified progeny were isolated. One population appeared to be similar in biological and biochemical properties to laboratory-adapted measles virus and had the ability to induce syncytia (syn + ). A second population (syn - ) plaqued more efficiently at 39 °C than at 33 °C, did not cause normal cell fusion at either temperature, and produced particles that interfered with the replication of other measles virus isolates in vivo and in vitro . This syn - virus was further plaquepurified to eliminate the interfering particles, producing the syn - P2 virus. This virus also plaqued more efficiently at 39 °C than at 33 °C, but caused cell fusion only at 39 °C. Both syn - viruses and the parental virus were significantly less virulent in vivo than the syn + virus and caused a more prolonged infection. Biochemical analysis showed that the syn - P2 population produced particles that banded at two different densities in potassium tartrate gradients; both densities were less than those of the standard laboratory measles virus and the syn + virus. Although the syn - P2 virus did not cause cell fusion at 33 °C, [ 35 S]methionine labelling demonstrated that the haemolysin/cell fusion protein was present in syn - P2 virions. The production of interfering particles, the inability to cause cell fusion at 33 °C, and the cold-sensitive nature of the syn - population appear to play a role in the ability of the Hallé SSPE virus to establish persistent infection. Keywords: measles virus isolate, Hallé SSPE variants, persistent infection Present address: Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia 3050. Present address: N.B.S.L., Parkville, Australia 3050. Received 14 July 1981; accepted 19 October 1981.