Reduced expression of surface glycoproteins in mouse fibroblasts persistently infected with human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV)

BCH4 cells, persistently infected with Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (H RSV), were obtained by Fernie et al. [12] after infection of a BALB/c mouse embryo cell line with the Long strain of HRSV. To understand the basis of HRSV persistence, the expression of HRSV RNAs and proteins was evaluated in BCH4 cells and infected parental BALB/c and fully permissive HEp-2 cells. Production of viral mRNAs was severely impaired in BCH4 cells. In addition, the expression level of the surface glycoproteins F and G was markedly red uced relative to internal viral proteins. However, virus recovered from BCH 4 cells could lytically infect HEp-2 cells and expressed normal levels of s urface glycoproteins. No evidence of defective genomes or interfering parti cles was found in BCH4 cells. Taken together, these data indicate that redu ction of both viral mRNA accumulation and surface glycoprotein biosynthesis are at the basis of HRSV persistence in BCH4 cells.