Treatment with targeted vesicular stomatitis virus generates therapeutic multifunctional anti-tumor memory CD4 T cells.

A generally applicable, easy-to-use method of focusing a patient's immune system to eradicate or prevent cancer has been elusive. We are attempting to develop a targeted virus to accomplish these aims. We previously created a recombinant replicating vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) that preferentially infected Her2/neu expressing breast cancer cells and showed therapeutic efficacy in an implanted Balb/c mouse tumor model. The current work shows that this therapy generated therapeutic anti-tumor CD4 T cells against multiple tumor antigens. CD4 T cells transferred directly from cured donor mice could eradicate established tumors in host mice. T cells were transferred directly from donor mice and were not stimulated ex vivo. Both tumors that expressed Her2/neu and those that did not were cured by transferred T cells. Analysis of cytokines secreted by anti-tumor memory CD4 T cells displayed a multifunctional pattern with high levels of interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-17. Anti-tumor memory CD4 T cells traveled to the mesenteric lymph nodes and were activated there. Treatment with targeted recombinant replicating VSV is a potent immune adjuvant that generates therapeutic, multifunctional anti-tumor memory CD4 T cells that recognize multiple tumor antigens. Immunity elicited by viral therapy is independent of host major histocompatibility complex or knowledge of tumor antigens. Virus-induced tumor immunity could have great benefit in the prevention and treatment of tumor metastases.

Recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus targeted to Her2/neu combined with anti-CTLA4 antibody eliminates implanted mammary tumors.

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is being developed for cancer therapy. We created a recombinant replicating VSV (rrVSV) that preferentially infected Her2/neu expressing breast cancer cells. We now used this rrVSV to treat macroscopic peritoneal tumor implants of a mouse mammary tumor cell line stably transfected to express Her2/neu. rrVSV therapy alone prolonged survival but did not cure any animals. rrVSV therapy combined with antibody to TGFb or antibody to IL-10 receptor (IL-10R) each produced cure in one of six animals. Strikingly, rrVSV therapy combined with anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibody (MAb) produced cure in four of five animals. Anti-CTLA4 MAb was only effective when administered within one day of rrVSV therapy. Cure required CD4 T-cells early (<7 days) and late (>7 days) after rrVSV therapy whereas CD8 T-cells were required only late (>7 days) after rrVSV therapy. Surviving animals were resistant to re-challenge with D2F2/E2 suggesting a memory immune response. Histopathologic analysis demonstrated a dense inflammatory infiltrate of tumor nodules within days of therapy and foamy histiocytes replacing the tumor nodules 2 weeks following therapy. These studies demonstrate that targeted rrVSV combined with anti-CTLA4 MAb can eliminate established macroscopic tumor implants by eliciting an anti-tumor CD4 and CD8 T-cell immunologic response.

Derivation and characterization of a live attenuated equine influenza vaccine virus.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and characterize a cold-adapted live attenuated equine-2 influenza virus effective as an intranasal vaccine. ANIMALS: 8 ponies approximately 18 months of age. PROCEDURES: A wild-type equine-2 virus, A/Equine/Kentucky/1/91 (H3N8), was serially passaged in embryonated chicken eggs at temperatures gradually reduced in a stepwise manner from 34 C to 30 C to 28 C to 26 C. At different passages, infected allantoic fluids were tested for the ability of progeny virus to replicate in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells at 34 C and 39.5 C. Virus clones that replicated at 26 C in eggs and at 34 C in MDCK cells, but not at 39.5 C in MDCK cells, were tested for stability of the cold-adapted, temperature-sensitive (ts), and protein synthesis phenotypes. A stable clone, P821, was evaluated for safety, ability to replicate, and immunogenicity after intranasal administration in ponies. RESULTS: Randomly selected clones from the 49th passage were all ts with plaquing efficiencies of < 10(-6) (ratio of 39.5 C:34 C) and retained this phenotype after 5 serial passages at 34 C in either embryonated eggs or MDCK cells. The clone selected as the vaccine candidate (P821) had the desired degree of attenuation. Administered intranasally to seronegative ponies, the virus caused no adverse reactions or overt signs of clinical disease, replicated in the upper portion of the respiratory tract, and induced a strong serum antibody response. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A candidate live attenuated influenza vaccine virus was derived by cold-adaptation of a wild-type equine-2 influenza virus, A/Equine/Kentucky/1/91, in embryonated eggs.

Safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of a modified-live equine influenza virus vaccine in ponies after induction of exercise-induced immunosuppression.

OBJECTIVE: To determine safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of an intranasal cold-adapted modified-live equine influenza virus vaccine administered to ponies following induction of exercise-induced immunosuppression. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: Fifteen 9- to 15-month old ponies that had not had influenza. PROCEDURE: Five ponies were vaccinated after 5 days of strenuous exercise on a high-speed treadmill, 5 were vaccinated without undergoing exercise, and 5 were not vaccinated or exercised and served as controls. Three months later, all ponies were challenged by nebulization of homologous equine influenza virus. Clinical and hematologic responses and viral shedding were monitored, and serum and nasal secretions were collected for determination of influenza-virus-specific antibody isotype responses. RESULTS: Exercise caused immunosuppression, as indicated by depression of lymphocyte proliferation in response to pokeweed mitogen. Vaccination did not result in adverse clinical effects, and none of the vaccinated ponies developed clinical signs of infection following challenge exposure. In contrast, challenge exposure caused marked clinical signs of respiratory tract disease in 4 control ponies. Vaccinated and control ponies shed virus after challenge exposure. Antibody responses to vaccination were restricted to serum IgGa and IgGb responses in both vaccination groups. After challenge exposure, ponies in all groups generated serum IgGa and IgGb and nasal IgA responses. Patterns of serum hemagglutination inhibition titers were similar to patterns of IgGa and IgGb responses. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that administration of this MLV vaccine to ponies with exercise-induced immunosuppression was safe and that administration of a single dose to ponies provided clinical protection 3 months later.

A new modified live equine influenza virus vaccine: phenotypic stability, restricted spread and efficacy against heterologous virus challenge.

Flu Avert IN vaccine is a new, live attenuated virus vaccine for equine influenza. We tested this vaccine in vivo to ascertain 1) its safety and stability when subjected to serial horse to horse passage, 2) whether it spread spontaneously from horse to horse and 3) its ability to protect against heterologous equine influenza challenge viruses of epidemiological relevance. For the stability study, the vaccine was administered to 5 ponies. Nasal swabs were collected and pooled fluids administered directly to 4 successive groups of naïve ponies by intranasal inoculation. Viruses isolated from the last group retained the vaccine's full attenuation phenotype, with no reversion to the wild-type virus phenotype or production of clinical influenza disease. The vaccine virus spread spontaneously to only 1 of 13 nonvaccinated horses/ponies when these were comingled with 39 vaccinates in the same field. For the heterologous protection study, a challenge model system was utilised in which vaccinated or naïve control horses and ponies were exposed to the challenge virus by inhalation of virus-containing aerosols. Challenge viruses included influenza A/equine-2/Kentucky/98, a recent representative of the 'American' lineage of equine-2 influenza viruses; and A/equine-2/Saskatoon/90, representative of the 'Eurasian' lineage. Clinical signs among challenged animals were recorded daily using a standardised scoring protocol. With both challenge viruses, control animals reliably contracted clinical signs of influenza, whereas vaccinated animals were reliably protected from clinical disease. These results demonstrate that Flu Avert IN vaccine is safe and phenotypically stable, has low spontaneous transmissibility and is effective in protecting horses against challenge viruses representative of those in circulation worldwide.

Efficacy of a cold-adapted, intranasal, equine influenza vaccine: challenge trials.

A randomised, controlled, double-blind, influenza virus, aerosol challenge of horses was undertaken to determine the efficacy of a cold-adapted, temperature sensitive, modified-live virus, intranasal, equine influenza vaccine. Ninety 11-month-old influenza-naïve foals were assigned randomly to 3 groups (20 vaccinates and 10 controls per group) and challenged 5 weeks, 6 and 12 months after a single vaccination. Challenges were performed on Day 0 in a plastic-lined chamber. Between Days 1 and 10, animals were examined daily for evidence of clinical signs of influenza. Nasal swabs for virus isolation were obtained on Day 1 and Days 1 to 8 and blood samples for serology were collected on Days 1, 7 and 14. There was no adverse response to vaccination in any animal. Following challenge at 5 weeks and 6 months, vaccinates had significantly lower clinical scores (P = 0.0001 and 0.005, respectively), experienced smaller increases in rectal temperature (P = 0.0008 and 0.0007, respectively) and shed less virus (P<0.0001 and P = 0.03, respectively) over fewer days (P<0.0001 and P = 0.002, respectively) than did the controls. After the 12 month challenge, rectal temperatures (P = 0.006) as well as the duration (P = 0.03) and concentration of virus shed (P = 0.04) were significantly reduced among vaccinated animals. The results of this study showed that 6 months after a single dose of vaccine the duration and severity of clinical signs were markedly reduced amongst vaccinated animals exposed to a severe live-virus challenge. Appropriate use of this vaccine should lead to a marked reduction in the frequency, severity and duration of outbreaks of equine influenza in North America.

Cell-free transfer of the vesicular stomatitis virus G protein from an endoplasmic reticulum compartment of baby hamster kidney cells to a rat liver Golgi apparatus compartment for Man8-9 to Man5 processing.

We report the reconstitution of the transfer of a membrane glycoprotein (vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein, VSV-G protein) from endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi apparatus and its subsequent Man8-9GlcNAc2 to Man5GlcNAc2 processing in a completely cell-free system. The acceptor was Golgi apparatus from rat liver immobilized on nitrocellulose. The endoplasmic reticulum donor was from homogenates of VSV-G-infected BHK cells. Nucleoside triphosphate plus cytosol-dependent transfer and processing of radiolabeled VSV-G protein was observed with donor from BHK cells infected at 37 degrees C with wild-type VSV or at the permissive temperature of 34 degrees C with the ts045 mutant. With Golgi apparatus as acceptor, specific transfer at 37 degrees C in the presence of nucleoside triphosphate was eightfold that at 4 degrees C or in the absence of ATP. About 40% of the VSV-G protein transferred was processed to the Man5GlcNAc2 form. Processing was specific for cis Golgi apparatus fractions purified by preparative free-flow electrophoresis. Fractions derived from the trans Golgi apparatus were inactive in processing. With the ts045 temperature-sensitive mutant, transfer and processing were much reduced even in the complete system when microsomes were from cells infected with mutant virus and incubated at the restrictive temperature of 39.5 degrees C but were able to proceed at the permissive temperature of 34 degrees C. Thus, Man8-9GlcNAc2 to Man5GlcNAc2 processing of VSV-G protein occurs following transfer in a completely cell-free system using immobilized intact Golgi apparatus or cis Golgi apparatus cisternae as the acceptor and shows temperature sensitivity, donor specificity, requirement for ATP, and response to inhibitors similar to those exhibited by transfer and processing of VSV-G protein in vivo.

Dominance of cold-adapted influenza A virus over wild-type viruses is at the level of RNA synthesis.

Cold-adapted (ca) influenza A virus is dominant over wild-type (wt) influenza A viruses in mixed infections of MDCK cells. Since the inhibition of the growth of wt viruses occurs at or before the level of protein synthesis, the effect of coinfection by ca virus on RNA synthesis of wt viruses was investigated. RNA from single and mixed infections of ca and wt viruses was analyzed by hybridization with positive and negative sense oligonucleotide probes capable of distinguishing the RNAs of the two viruses. Primary and secondary transcription of mRNA and replication of vRNA from an early (NP) and a late (M) gene were quantitated. Although all stages of RNA synthesis were reduced, the key inhibition of wt RNA synthesis in coinfections with ca virus was at the level of vRNA replication. The inhibition of wt RNA synthesis occurred in mixed infections without any corresponding reduction of vRNA or mRNA synthesis by ca virus. Mechanisms by which ca virus may inhibit wt virus RNA synthesis are proposed based on the role of the products of gene segment 7 of the ca virus, the gene known to be responsible for the dominance phenotype.

Effect of simultaneous administration of cold-adapted and wild-type influenza A viruses on experimental wild-type influenza infection in humans.

On the basis of the ability of the attenuated cold-adapted strain of influenza A virus to suppress disease production in ferrets simultaneously infected with epidemic influenza virus (P. Whitaker-Dowling, H.F. Maassab, and J.S. Youngner, J. Infect. Dis. 164:1200-1202, 1991), an evaluation of the ability of the cold-adapted virus to modify clinical disease in humans was made. Adult volunteers with prechallenge serum hemagglutination-inhibition titers to the influenza A/Kawasaki/86 (H1N1) virus of < or = 1:8 received either 10(7) 50% tissue culture infective doses of the wild-type A/Kawasaki virus or a mixture of 10(7) 50% tissue culture infective doses of each of the wild-type virus and a cold-adapted A/Kawasaki reassortant virus by intranasal drops in a randomized, double-blind fashion. Symptoms and wild-type virus shedding were assessed daily for 6 days following challenge. Results were compared with those derived from another group of volunteers who received only cold-adapted virus. Volunteers who received the mixed inoculum of cold-adapted and wild-type viruses had lower symptom scores than those who received wild-type virus alone, suggesting that coinfection with the cold-adapted virus may modify wild-type virus infection, but the differences were not statistically significant in this small study. The data demonstrate that administration of cold-adapted influenza A virus to humans at the time of wild-type virus infection is a safe procedure.

Membrane fusion as a determinant of the infectibility of cells by vesicular stomatitis virus.

When rat embryo fibroblasts (REF) and BHK21 cells were treated with VSV at the same m.o.i., 8- to 10-fold fewer REF were infected than BHK21 cells; REF also showed a similar decrease in the production of progeny virions per cell. When other aspects of the infectious cycle were studied in the two cells, it was found that the time course of virus production was similar in BHK21 cells and REF, virus grown in REF showed the same infectivity in both cell types as virus grown in BHK21 cells, and all REF in a culture could eventually be infected. There was virtually no difference in the binding of VSV to the cells, and REF actually internalized virus at a slightly greater rate than BHK21 cells. Direct fusion of VSV with the plasma membrane of the two cell types resulted in infection of the cells, but did not abolish the difference in infectibility. When this fusion was quantitated using 125I-VSV, BHK21 cells fused 6-fold more virus than REF, a difference that accounts for most of the difference in the infectibility of the two cell types. The results indicate that constituents of the host cell plasma membrane modulate the fusion of VSV.

Dominant-negative mutants as antiviral agents: simultaneous infection with the cold-adapted live-virus vaccine for influenza A protects ferrets from disease produced by wild-type influenza A.

The attenuated cold-adapted strain of influenza A virus that is a candidate live-virus vaccine suppressed clinical disease in ferrets when given simultaneously with a virulent epidemic strain of influenza A virus. The cold-adapted virus effectively prevented disease, even when the epidemic strain was of a different subtype than the attenuated virus. In this case, ferrets given a mixed inoculum produced antibody to both subtypes in the absence of clinical disease, indicating that both viruses are replicating in the respiratory tract. These findings suggest the possibility of the development of a novel class of antivirals for influenza, namely a live virus that is a dominant-negative attenuated mutant that interferes with the replication of epidemic strains of virus.

The genes associated with trans-dominance of the influenza A cold-adapted live virus vaccine.

Segment 7 (M) of the cold-adapted live influenza A virus vaccine plays a primary role in the ability of this virus to interfere with the replication of wild-type influenza A viruses. This conclusion is based on several lines of evidence. Single gene reassortant viruses derived by crossing influenza A/Ann Arbor/6/60 (H2N2) cold-adapted donor virus with an epidemic wild-type strain, A/Korea/1/82 (H3N2), were tested for their ability to interfere with wild-type parental virus in the Madin-Darby line of canine kidney cells and embryonated eggs. It was apparent in both hosts that the single gene reassortant carrying segment 7 (M) derived from the cold-adapted virus was dominant over wild-type virus. Additional confirmation of the role of segment 7 (M) in trans-dominance of the cold-adapted vaccine virus was derived from the analysis of reassortants produced by mixed infection by a wild-type virus and its cold-adapted reassortant vaccine strain. After three serial passages, the virus yield contained a high proportion of reassortants carrying segment 7 (M) of the cold-adapted parental strain. When used in mixed infections, these reassortants were dominant over the replication of the parental wild-type virus.

Sequential disassembly of the cytoskeleton in BHK21 cells infected with vesicular stomatitis virus.

The cytopathic effects of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) that result in the rounding of BHK21 cells have been studied. The results indicate that they are mediated by a sequential alteration in the distribution of the components of the cytoskeleton, an effect that requires the expression of the viral L protein. The constituents of the cytoskeleton of BHK21 cells were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy. Actin filaments were the first component to become disorganized, so that disassembly of stress fibers were detected 1 hr after infection. The distribution of microtubules and intermediate filaments was unchanged at 2 hr after infection; however, both these cytoskeletal elements exhibited an altered distribution at 3-4 hr after infection. Actinomycin D and cycloheximide did not cause the same effects as infection with VSV, suggesting that inhibition of host-cell gene expression was not responsible. However, viral gene expression was required, since cells infected with uv-irradiated VSV showed the same distribution of cytoskeletal constituents as mock-infected controls. Cells infected at 39.5 degrees (the nonpermissive temperature) with mutants of VSV temperature sensitive in the viral NS (ts G22), N(ts G41), M(ts 0 23), and G(ts 0 45) proteins showed the same changes in the cytoskeleton as those detected with wild-type virus. In contrast, cells infected with ts G11 (L-) showed the characteristic effect of VSV on the cytoskeleton when incubated at 34 degrees (the permissive temperature), but not when incubated at 39.5 degrees. The T-1026 R1 mutant of VSV, which has a much less dramatic effect on cell morphology than wild-type virus, also caused a less marked disruption of the cytoskeleton.

Cellular mechanisms in the superinfection exclusion of vesicular stomatitis virus.

The superinfection exclusion of VSV has been studied and found to be caused by a combination of three distinct effects on endocytosis by VSV-infected cells: first, a decreased rate of formation of endocytic vesicles as judged by an inhibition of fluid-phase uptake at 2 hr postinfection; second, a decreased rate of internalization of receptor-bound ligands, which was detected at 4 hr postinfection; and third, a competition with newly synthesized virus for occupancy of coated pits, as indicated by electron microscopy of infected cells. At the same time that fluid-phase uptake decreased, numerous uncoated invaginations were observed at the cell surface.

Cold-adapted vaccine strains of influenza A virus act as dominant negative mutants in mixed infections with wild-type influenza A virus.

The cold-adapted reassortant of influenza A, which is a candidate live virus vaccine, interfered with the replication of parental wild-type virus in mixed infections of either MDCK cells or embryonated eggs. The interference occurred at either the permissive or nonpermissive temperature for the cold-adapted virus. In doubly infected cells, the yield of the wild-type virus was reduced by as much as 3000-fold and the protein synthesis phenotype expressed was that of the cold-adapted virus. The interference was detected even when infection with wild-type virus was carried out at a 9-fold excess or 2 hr before infection with the cold-adapted virus. As well as interfering with its wild-type parental virus, the cold-adapted virus also inhibited the replication of a heterologous influenza A subtype. In addition to its immunogenic potential, the ability to interfere with the replication of wild-type viruses is a desirable trait for any live, attenuated virus vaccine.

Inhibition of vesicular stomatitis virus replication in dexamethasone-treated L929 cells.

We previously demonstrated that dexamethasone treatment of L929 cells inhibited plaque formation by vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), encephalomyocarditis virus, or vaccinia virus. We now have characterized the antiviral effects of glucocorticoids in L929 cells. Dexamethasone did not directly inactivate VSV nor did steroid treatment of L929 cells affect virion adsorption or penetration. The VSV yield in L929 cells treated with dexamethasone for a period of only 4 or 8 hr was decreased by 50% when cells were infected the day following steroid treatment. Treating L929 cells with dexamethasone for a longer period resulted in greater inhibitions of virus synthesis. Interferon activity (less than 5 units/ml) was not detected in L929 cell culture fluids and cell sonicates from steroid-treated cells and the addition of antiserum to murine alpha/beta-interferon had no effect on the ability of dexamethasone to inhibit VSV replication. Dexamethasone treatment of L929 cells did not induce the production of double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase but did result in a slight elevation of 2-5A oligoadenylate synthetase activity, two enzymatic activities associated with the antiviral state induced by interferon. However, the elevated 2-5A synthetase activity was not associated with an inhibition of VSV RNA accumulation in dexamethasone-treated L929 cells. By contrast, the synthesis of all five VSV proteins was reduced by 50-75% in dexamethasone-treated L929 cells as early as 4 hr after infection. Thus, the dexamethasone-mediated inhibition of VSV replication in L929 cells is associated with decreased production of VSV structural proteins.

Interferon treatment reduces endocytosis of virus and facultatively intracellular bacteria in various cell lines.

Previous studies have shown that interferons (IFNs) specifically interact with a number of cells cultured in vitro and reduce the invasiveness of facultatively intracellular bacteria. IFN treatment also reduced the internalization of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in cell cultures. Here we show that the anti-invasive effect of IFN on bacteria is eliminated in an L-cell variant where its effect on the uptake of vesicular stomatitis virus is lost. The data strongly suggest that the anti-invasive effect of IFN is mediated through inhibition of endocytosis.

Vaccinia specific kinase inhibitory factor prevents translational inhibition by double-stranded RNA in rabbit reticulocyte lysate.

Mouse L-cells infected with vaccinia virus produce a specific kinase inhibitory factor (SKIF) which inhibits the activation of the interferon-induced, double-stranded (ds)RNA-dependent, eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)-2 alpha-specific protein kinase in L-cell extracts (Whitaker-Dowling, P., and Younger, J. S., (1984) Virology 137, 171). The effects of a partially purified preparation of SKIF have been examined in cell-free extracts of rabbit reticulocytes. Both the phosphorylation state of eIF-2 and protein synthetic activity have been determined. SKIF inhibits the phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eIF-2 by dsRNA-dependent eIF-2 alpha-kinase in reticulocyte lysate, but does not affect phosphorylation of eIF-2 by the heme-sensitive kinase. In addition to its effects on eIF-2 alpha-PKds activity, SKIF prevents dsRNA-induced inhibition of protein synthesis in reticulocyte lysate. In contrast, SKIF does not prevent the translational inhibition caused by hemin depletion. These data provide a direct correlation between the effects of SKIF on eIF-2 alpha phosphorylation and on protein synthetic activity and demonstrate the specificity of SKIF. The results also show that SKIF does not abolish dsRNA sensitivity, but increases the concentration of dsRNA required to activate the kinase and phosphorylate eIF-2.

The L protein of a VSV mutant isolated from a persistent infection is responsible for viral interference and dominance over the wild-type.

The dominance of a mutant isolated from a persistent infection (VSV-Pi) over wild-type vesicular stomatitis virus (wt-VSV) in mixed infections was described previously (J. A. Jordan and J. S. Youngner, 1987, Virology, 158, 407-413). In an attempt to identify the VSV-Pi gene product responsible for transcriptional interference, various combinations of purified VSV-Pi and wt-VSV transcribing core proteins were analyzed in an in vitro transcription assay and compared to homologous wild-type controls. The reconstitution studies revealed that the VSV-Pi RNA dependent-RNA polymerase (L protein) has a dominant activity which works in trans to inhibit wt-VSV transcription.

Stress-induced increase of hexose transport as a novel index of cytopathic effects in virus-infected cells: role of the L protein in the action of vesicular stomatitis virus.

The VSV-specific increase in hexose transport by BHK cells has been measured by assay of the [3H]dGlc/[14C]AIB uptake ratio. The effect was abolished by uv-irradiation of the virus, indicating that viral gene expression is required. Cells infected with the T1026 R1 mutant of VSV, which causes only slight cytopathic changes, exhibited only a slight increase in hexose uptake. Cells infected with temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants of VSV that are defective in the function of the viral N, NS, G, or M proteins at the restrictive temperature (39.5 degrees) exhibited increased [3H]dGLC/[14C]AIB uptake ratios typical of wild-type virus at either restrictive (39.5 degrees) or permissive temperature (34 degrees). Cells infected with a mutant defective in the function of the viral L protein exhibited an increased [3H]dGlc/[14C]AIB uptake ratio at permissive temperature (34 degrees) only; at restrictive temperature (39.5 degrees) the uptake ratio was essentially the same as that of mock-infected cells. Temperature-shift experiments indicated that the effect on hexose transport persisted for at least 6 hr in cells which no longer expressed function L protein, and that when expression of L was restricted to the first 2 hr of infection, an almost complete stimulation of hexose transport was observed 4 hr later. These results indicate that expression of the L gene is a necessary factor for inducing an increased hexose uptake in VSV-infected BHK cells. They also suggest that the action of the L protein on hexose transport is indirect, and is presumably mediated by other cellular constituents. The studies support the concept that an increased dGlc uptake may be a useful index of the cytopathic consequences of virus infection.