Effect of sialodacryoadenitis virus exposure on acinar epithelial cells from the rat lacrimal gland

Sialodacryoadenitis virus (SDAV), a RNA coronavirus, in-duces degenerative, necrotic and atrophic alterations in acinar epithelial cells of the rat lacrimal gland. To begin to explore the underlying mechanism(s) of this viral effect, we sought in the present study to: (i) determine whether SDAV invades and replicates in lacrimal gland acinar cells in vitro; and (2) assess whether short-term SDAV challenge interferes with the viability or function of acinar cells in vitro. For comparison we also evaluated the rela-tive infectivity of SDAV in acinar epithelial cells from lacrimal, submandib-ular and parotid glands, given that salivary tissues are known to be highly susceptible to SDAV infection in vivo. Acinar epithelial cells from lacrimal, submandibular or parotid glands were isolated from male rats, exposed briefly to SDAV or control cell antigen and then cultured for four, eight or twelve days. At experimental termination, SDAV titers in both media and sonicated cell extracts were evaluated by plaque as...