Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel lung epithelial cell line, preferably a porcine lung epithelial cell line, supporting efficient high titer replication of viruses, in particular, influenza viruses. In contrast to embryonated chicken eggs and known cell culture systems for influenza replication, propagation of influenza viruses in the lung epithelial cell line of the invention is not accompanied by antigenic changes in the HA1 region of the hemagglutinin molecule and is free of contaminants which are potentially harmful for vaccine production. The cell line of the invention is useful in virus surveillance, in studies of viral pathogenesis, and in the production anti-viral vaccines for humans and animals.