Apoptosis and necrosis in vaccinia virus-infected HeLa G and BSC-40 cells

► We analyzed type of cell death in VACV strain WR-infected HeLa G and BSC-40 cells. ► Caspases-2 and 4 were specifically activated in infected cells of both cell lines. ► The actual activity of caspase-2, 4 and 3 was found only in infected HeLa G cells. ► Apoptosis and activity of caspase-3 were observed in situ in infected HeLa G cells. ► Vaccination strains Dryvax and Praha induced apoptosis in both HeLa G and BSC-40.