Selection of a stable clone of the MVPK-1 fetal porcine kidney cell for assays of foot-and-month disease virus.

The MVPK-1 cell line, derived from fetal porcine kidney cells, supports the replication of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus. The cell line was adapted to grow in medium containing 5% bovine serum. The susceptibility of the adapted cells decreased as they aged at 37 degrees C. Various clones were isolated from the adapted cells and their growth characteristics and sustained susceptibility to FMD virus were compared. Clone 7 maintained uniform susceptibility to FMD virus over a 3-day period at 37 degrees C and proved superior to other clones in the characteristics studied. The clone has maintained satisfactory susceptibility to FMD virus through 40 subcultures. Clone 7 can replace primary bovine kidney cells for routine viral assays, but cannot detect as much FMD virus in animal specimens as primary bovine kidney, bovine thyroid, or swine kidney cells.