Open AccessIdentification of Gammaretroviruses Constitutively Released from Cell Lines Used for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Research
Author(s) -
Yasuhiro Takeuchi,
Myra O. McClure,
Massimo Pizzato
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.617
H-Index - 292
eISSN - 1070-6321
pISSN - 0022-538X
DOI - 10.1128/jvi.01726-08
Subject(s) - biology , retrovirus , jurkat cells , gammaretrovirus , virology , murine leukemia virus , capsid , cell culture , virus , leukemia , vector (molecular biology) , antigenicity , genetics , antibody , recombinant dna , t cell , gene , immune system
Three human cell lines used in human immunodeficiency virus research were found to be contaminated with previously undetected retroviruses. On the bases of partial nucleotide sequence, capsid protein antigenicity, vector mobilization, and receptor usage studies, these contaminants were shown to be replication competent and to belong to theGammaretrovirus genus. While the TZM-bl cells harbor ecotropic murine leukemia virus (MLV), Jurkat J6 cells were found to release xenotropic MLV and the A3.01/F7 cells to produce gibbon ape leukemia virus. These findings highlight the importance of routine testing of cell lines for retrovirus contamination to prevent potential experimental artifacts and allow correct biohazard assessment.