Infection of HTLV-III/LAV in HTLV-I-carrying cells MT-2 and MT-4 and application in a plaque assay.

The human T-cell lines MT-2 and MT-4 carry the human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I). When MT-2 and MT-4 were infected with HTLV-III, the probable etiologic agent of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), rapid cytopathogenic effects and cytotoxicity were observed that made it possible to titrate the biologically active virus in a plaque-forming assay. The cytopathogenic effects were preceded by the rapid induction and increase of HTLV-III antigens as revealed by immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation. Activities of HTLV-III were neutralized by the human antibodies against the virus when immunofluorescence and plaque assays were used. Essentially the same results were obtained with the lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV1).