Complementation analysis of measles virus mutants isolated from persistently infected lymphoblastoid cell lines

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Abstract
Human lymphoblastoid cell lines persistently infected with measles virus release a heterogeneous population of virions. At least 80% of the infectious particles were temperature-sensitive for plaque formation at 39.degree. C. Plaque-purified temperature-sensitive mutants from four persistently infected human lymphoblastoid cell lines were heterogeneous with respect to efficiency of plating at 31.degree. and 39.degree. C, and to antigen and RNA production at 39.degree. C. The heterogeneity was confirmed by complementation analysis in which 21 temperature-sensitive isolates represented at least 4 of the 5 previously described complementation groups of measles virus. Two isolates complemented 4 reference temperature-sensitive mutants. These isolates represent new complementation groups or are members of the 5th complementation group, group E. The majority of isolates had multiple mutations, and group B mutants (RNA-) predominated. Two temperature-sensitive isolates were able to interfere with production of parental measles virus at both permissive and nonpermissive temperatures.