Variants of human rhinovirus serotype 39 (HRV-39) relatively resistant to inhibition by soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) were selected by serial passages in HeLa or WI-38 cells in the presence of sICAM-1. Moderate resistance (four-to fivefold increases in 50%v effective inhibitory concentrations [EC50s]) was observed after the second passage in HeLa cells and remained constant during six further passages in the presence of 10 ,ug of sICAM-1 per ml. A 7-to 17-fold increase in EC50s was observed in WI-38 cells during passage with 10 ,ug/ml, and reversion to a nonresistant phenotype was not observed after four passages in the absence of sICAM-1. Resistance of a higher degree was obtained by passaging HRV-39 in the presence of 100 pg of sICAM-1 per ml in HeLa cells (30-fold EC50 increase). The sICAM-1-resistant phenotype was estimated to constitute 1 in 104 to 1 in 105 PFU of a nonexposed HRV-39 population. Low to moderate levels of resistance to sICAM-1 inhibition emerge readily during in vitro passage in the presence of sICAM-1 and appear to be phenotypically stable.The cell receptor for human rhinoviruses (HRVs) of the major receptor group has been identified as intercellular adhesion molecule-i (ICAM-1) (8,18,19), and recombinant soluble forms of ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) have been shown to inhibit HRV replication in vitro (3,9,14). One form of sICAM-1 (14) inhibits the replication of 88 of the 90 numbered HRV serotypes of the major receptor group, with 50% effective inhibitory concentrations (EC50s) ranging from 0.1 to 41.1 ,ug/ml (5). Because the virus receptor binding site appears to be conserved, it has been postulated that a viral mutation which confers resistance to inhibition by a soluble cell receptor molecule might be lethal, unless attachment by an alternative receptor is possible (14). However, poliovirus mutants resistant to the antiviral effects of the poliovirus soluble cell receptor have been isolated (12). Furthermore, these resistant variants maintained the same receptor specificity as the original poliovirus, as determined by a receptor blockade with an antireceptor monoclonal antibody, and appeared to be as virulent as the wild-type virus following mouse inoculation (12).This report describes the selection of variants of HRV serotype 39 (HRV-39), a major receptor group HRV readily inhibited by sICAM-1 in cell cultures and human adenoid explants (3), that are moderately resistant to the antiviral action of sICAM-1 in vitro. We have also estimated the frequency with which such resistant variants occur in a native population of HRV-39. .). Growth and maintenance media were the same as those previously described (3). sICAM-1, prepared and purified as previously described (14, 16), was kindly furnished by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals (Ridgefield, Conn.).
MATERIALS AND METHODSSelection of resistance to sICAM-1. Isolation of HRV-39 resistant to sICAM-1 was achieved by end-point titration in the presence of sICAM-1. In brief, serial log1o dilutions of HRV-39, 107 50% tissue culture ...