Tissue culture-adaptation expands ATCC Genuine Cultures^® collection of influenza viruses

ATCC has adapted four influenza strains to tissue culture (TC) using MDCK cell line (ATCC^® CCL-34™ ). The new TC-adapted products include two swine-derived H1N1 viruses and two of the H3N2 subtype. These new TC-adapted products join three popular strains already available (Table 1).

While chicken embryos support the growth of almost all influenza viruses, MDCK cells are also widely used for TC adaptation of influenza viruses. The ATCC TC-adapted strains are produced in ATCC CCL-34 cells and can be propagated in that cell line (Figure 1).

Tissue culture-adapted viruses from ATCC Genuine Cultures:

• Eliminate the need for embryonated chicken eggs
• Propagate easier and faster
• Retain high viral titer as determined by plaque assay

Items highlighted in blue are newly added TC-adapted offerings.
 * Recommended by FDA for analytical sensitivity (LoD) studies (Draft Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff – Establishing the Performance Characteristics of In Vitro Diagnostic Devices for the Detection or Detection and Differentiation of Influenza Viruses. Docket Number FDA-2008-D-0095).

ATCC has traditionally determined viral titers for TC-adapted influenzas by TCID-50. Plaque assay determination of viral titer has also been performed for the four newer TC-adapted influenzas, with results consistently between 10⁴ and 10⁷ PFU/mL (Figure 2).   As new lots are produced of all seven TC-adapted influenzas, including the three previously released, TCID-50 as well as plaque assay determination will be utilized for titer determination.

Figure 2. Plaque assay for
ATCC VR-1679 at a 10^-5 dilution.

To download a full list of ATCC influenza research materials, please click here.

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