Replication and Expression of Rubella Virus in Human Lymphocyte Populations

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Abstract
Human mononuclear cells (lymphocytes and monocytes) from peripheral blood were examined for their ability to support the replication of rubella virus (RV) after infection in vitro. Replication occurred in mixed lymphocytes and was enhanced by stimulation with phytohemagglutinin or pokeweed mitogen. A comparison of RV polypeptide synthesis in lymphocytes and [rabbit kidney] RK13 cells showed no major differences in the polypeptides induced by infection. Cellular translation was inhibited in the lymphocytes facilitating identification of virus polypeptides and eliminating the need for hypertonic labeling conditions used with RK13 cells. RV replication also occurred in sub-populations of T-cells but not in B-cells. RV could be rescued from the B and monocyte population by co-cultivation with RK13 cells.

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