Development and characterization of a cell line from Pacific herring, Clupea harengus pallasi, sensitive to both naphthalene cytotoxicity and infection by viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus

A cell line, PHL, has been successfully established from newly hatched herr ing larvae. The cells are maintained in growth medium consisting of Leibovi tz's L-15 supplemented with 15% fetal bovine serum (FBS), and have been cry opreserved and maintain viability after thawing. These cells retain a diplo id karotype after 65 population doublings. PHL are susceptible to infection by the North American strain of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) virus, and are sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of naphthalene, a common environ mental contaminant. Naphthalene is a component of crude and refined oil, an d may be found in the marine environment following acute events such as oil spills. In addition, chronic sources of naphthalene contamination include offshore drilling and petroleum contamination from areas such as docks and marinas that have creosote-treated docks and pilings and also receive const ant small inputs of petroleum products. This cell line should be useful for investigations of the toxicity of naphthalene and other petroleum componen ts to juvenile herring. In addition, studies of the VHS virus will be facil itated by the availability of a susceptible cell line from an alternative s pecies.