Development and characterisation of pilchard (Sardinops sagax neopilchardus) cell lines derived from liver and heart tissues.

Two cell lines have been established from juvenile pilchards (Sardinops sagax neopilchardus) caught in waters off the Victorian coast of Australia. Following establishment of primary cultures derived from different pilchard tissues, using various cell culture media, a pilchard liver (PL) cell line and a pilchard heart (PH) cell line have been maintained in Eagle's minimal essential medium supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum for over four years. The cell lines have been cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen and can be recovered from storage with good cell viability. Stock cell cultures have been maintained at 20-22 degrees C on a continuous basis in normal atmosphere (100% air), with weekly subculture at a split ratio of 3:1. The origin of the cell cultures was confirmed by PCR analysis using primers designed to be specific for pilchard mitochondrial DNA. In addition, the liver cell line was cloned and both the parental cell line and clones thereof were shown to be susceptible to a broad range of marine and freshwater viral pathogens of fish.