Serologic characterization and identification of four lepidopteran cell lines

Abstract

The identity of four cell lines (Cf124, Md63, Md108, and Md109) was investigated using the technique of double diffusion. The absorbed antiserum of Cf124 cells formed strong precipitin lines with Choristoneura fumiferana antigen, and the absorbed antisera of Md63, Md108, and Md109 cells gave a strong reaction with the Malacosoma disstria antigen, thus substantiating their species identity. Although the M. disstria cell lines did not show any tissue specificity, they differed from each other in at least one antigen. The antigens from whole larvae of C. fumiferana and M. disstria were more suitable than their hemolymph for serological reactions with the antisera of tissue cultures by double diffusion.