Alteration of diabetes and interferon induction by the diabetogenic strain of encephalomyocarditis virus through cell passage

The diabetogenic strain of encephalomyocarditis virus (D virus) was propagated in several continuous cell lines. Each virus stock was tested for its ability to produce diabetes in mice and induce L-cell interferon (IFN-beta). The effect of insulin on virus replication and IFN-beta induction was also determined. It was found that the severity of the diabetes and the amount of IFN-beta produced was dependent on the cell line used for virus propagation. Virus synthesis was augmented and IFN-beta production was altered in insulin-treated cell cultures. It is concluded that D virus either consists of more than one virus or that its diabetes and IFN-beta inducing characteristics are unstable.