Human Aorta Cells for Isolation and Propagation of Rhinoviruses. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Cell lines derived from human aorta have proved useful for the isolation and propagation of rhinoviruses. In the A-39 cell line, which has been used most often, viruses reach infectivity titers of up to 10^5.5 TCD₅₀ per ml and produce readily discernible cytopathic effects. The cell line is easily grown and may be maintained for long periods. It proved to be more sensitive to the rhinovirus serotypes prevalent during the 1963–64 winter than the presently employed WI-38 or human embryonic kidney cells. During the fall of 1964, the prevalent rhinoviruses were selectively isolated on human kidney cells, but during the current winter season aorta and WI-38 cell lines were again more sensitive to the new rhinoviruses in the community.