Characterization of porcine stable kidney cell line adapted to hyperthermic temperature

Summary

The optimum temperature for the growth of porcine stable (PS) kidney cell line is 37°C. We have adapted the cell line to grow at 40°C. The original cell line grown at 37°C has been denoted as PS-37, and the adapted new strain has been denoted as PS-40. Both the cell lines were screened for mycoplasma by Hoechst staining and tritiated uridineuracil uptake and were found to be negative. Comparative characterization of PS-40 and its progenitor PS-37 cell line was done by using various parameters. The antigenic studies indicated that the new cell strain was not cross-contaminated with any other cell lines. It was observed that PS-40 cells were more fibroblastic with clean cytoplasm and appeared healthy. The growth of PS-40 cells was faster than the original cell line. The karyological study showed heteroploid chromosome number in PS-40 cells. The modal chromosome number of PS-40 cells was 58, whereas that of PS-37 cell line was 38. The lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme pattern showed a cathodal shift of bands. The PS-40 cell strain could be cryopreserved and revived. The viability of PS-37 as well as PS-40 cell lines is in the range of 90–95%, and the growth characteristics of thawed cells showed six-to eightfold multiplications within 5d. The virus susceptibility study revealed that the cytopathic effect was more profound and observed 1 d earlier in PS-40 cell line. Increased yields of Japanese encephalitis, Sindbis, and Semliki forest viruses were obtained by 1.8, 1,75, and 1.5 log plaque-forming units/ml. respectively. The yield of West Nile virus was, however, comparable to that in PS-37 cell line. Both the cell lines were refractory to Dengue viruses.