Replication of adeno-associated virus type 2 in human lymphocytic cells and interaction with HIV-1

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a nonpathogenic parvovirus which normally requires helper adenovirus or herpes-virus for replication. We examined the growth of AAV type 2 in human lymphocytes and its possible interaction with HIV-1. Three B cell lines (CK-B, HS-2, and UC729) and four T cell lines (Molt-4, Jurkat, HUT78, and HUT78+HIV, which is persistently infected with HIV-1) were infected with AAV either in the presence or in the absence of adenovirus. AAV DNA was found in cells of all the lines following incubation with the virus, indicating absorption. AAV DNA replication occurred in most cell lines without particular preference for B or T cells, but only in the presence of helper virus, either adenovirus or Epstein-Barr virus. Expression of AAV proteins was examined by immunoblotting and ELISA, using sera specific for AAV Rep or capsid proteins. The level of AAV protein synthesis correlated with the efficiency of AAV DNA replication, and both varied between cell lines. The yield of infectious AAV was low in most cases, except in one T4 line (Jurkat), where AAV replication and protein synthesis in the presence of adenovirus were very extensive. In HUT78+HIV cells both adenovirus and AAV (in the presence of Ad2) replicated efficiently. The effects of adenovirus plus AAV coinfections on HIV-1 replication, measured by reverse-transcriptase (RT) activity, were mild. Infection with adenovirus or AAV alone resulted in a 60-70% increase in RT activity, while infection with AAV plus adenovirus resulted in a 20% decrease in RT activity. The yield of infectious AAV in this cell line was very low.