Mumps virus replication in human lymphoid cell lines and in peripheral blood lymphocytes: preference for T cells.

The replication of mumps virus was studied in human continuous lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) with T or B characteristics and in lymphocyte subpopulations derived from peripheral blood. T-LCLs supported effective virus replication as shown by high titers of free and cell-associated virus over 1 to 4 days after infection. By immunofluorescence analysis, the majority of cells were positive for mumps virus antigens. In contrast, the B-cell lines produced low titers of infectious virus, and only a small percentage expressed viral antigens. This resistance of the B-LCLs was found with several mumps virus strains. Cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells also supported mumps virus replication. Very high titers of infectious virus (10(8) PFU/ml) were observed in cultures prestimulated with phytohaemagglutinin. Studies with enriched T and B cells point to the activated T lymphocyte as the major virus-producing cell.