Animal cells and processes for the replication of influenza viruses

Abstract

Animal cells are described which can be infected by influenza viruses and which are adapted to growth in suspension in serum-free medium. Processes for the replication of influenza viruses in cell culture using these cells are furthermore described, as well as vaccines which contain the influenza viruses obtainable by the process or constituents thereof.

1 - 42 . (canceled)  
     
     
         43 . An animal cell which can be infected with influenza viruses, wherein the animal cell is adapted to grow in suspension in serum-free medium:  
     
     
         44 . The animal cell of  claim 43 , wherein the animal cell is a vertebrate cell.  
     
     
         45 . The animal cell of  claim 44 , wherein the vertebrate cell is a mammalian cell.  
     
     
         46 . The animal cell of  claim 44 , wherein the vertebrate cell is an avian cell.  
     
     
         47 . The animal cell of  claim 45 , wherein the mammalian cell is a hamster cell.  
     
     
         48 . The animal cell of  claim 45 , wherein the mammalian cell is a cow cell.  
     
     
         49 . The animal cell of  claim 45 , wherein the mammalian cell is a monkey cell.  
     
     
         50 . The animal cell of  claim 45 , wherein the mammalian cell is a dog cell.  
     
     
         51 . The animal cell of  claim 46  wherein the avian cell is a hen's embryo cell.  
     
     
         52 . The animal cell of  claim 47  wherein the hamster cell is isolated from kidney.  
     
     
         53 . The animal cell of  claim 48  wherein the cow cell is isolated from kidney.  
     
     
         54 . The animal cell of  claim 49  wherein the monkey cell is isolated from kidney.  
     
     
         55 . The animal cell of  claim 50  wherein the dog cell is isolated from kidney.  
     
     
         56 . The animal cell of  claim 47  wherein the hamster cell is a BHK21-F cell.  
     
     
         57 . The animal cell of  claim 47  wherein the hamster cell is a HKCC cell.  
     
     
         58 . The animal cell of  claim 48  wherein the cow cell is a MDBK cell.  
     
     
         59 . The animal cell of  claim 43  produced according to a process of: 
 passaging the cells in roller bottles;    obtaining the passaged cells growing in suspension; and    selecting the cells adapted to grow in serum-free medium.