Production of cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (CPV) polyhedra in a gamma irradiated Lymantria dispar cell line.

Lymantria dispar cells wee exposed to different doses of gamma radiation one hour after infection with cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (CPV). It was found that irradiated cells can produce infectious polyhedra. Modifications in the structure and in the process of maturation of the polyhedra were noted. The number of polyhedra per cell increased significantly after cell irradiation at 10(4) and 10(5) rads but no change was noted after cell treatment at 10(2) rads. On the other hand, morphological changes and a high mortality rate were noted in cell cultures treated at intensities higher than 10(3) rads. Therefore, the total yield of polyhedra produced when using 10(2) or 10(4) rads was similar to that obtained in normal cells but dropped significantly after cell irradiation at 10(5) rads.