Production of poxviruses with adherent or non adherent avian cell lines

A method for replicating a native or recombinant vaccinia virus comprising the steps of:

• 1) producing avian embryonic derived stem cells by:
• a) culturing avian embryonic cells in a complete culture medium complemented in serum containing:
• i) exogenous growth factors comprising the trophic factors SCF, IGF-1 and bFGF, and cytokines whose action is through a receptor which is associated with the gp130 protein, said cytokines being selected from the group consisting of LIF, interleukin 11, interleukin 6, interleukin 6 receptor, CNFT, oncostatin and cardiotrophin;
• and
• ii) a feeder layer;
• b) passage by modifying the culture medium so as to obtain the withdrawal of said growth factors, of the serum and/or of the feeder layer;
• c) establishing adherent or non-adherent cell lines capable of proliferating in a basal medium in the absence of exogenous growth factors, serum and/or inactivated feeder layer;
• 2) inoculating the resultant avian embryonic derived stem cells with viral particles of said vaccinia virus;
• and
• 3) culturing said cells in a basal medium until cell lysis occurs and newly produced viral particles of said vaccinia virus are released in said medium.