Helper functions required for wild type and recombinant adeno-associated virus growth

The human parvovirus Adeno-Associated virus (AAV-2) has been classified as a Dependovirus because it requires the presence of a helper virus to achieve a productive replication cycle. Several viruses such as Adenovirus (Ad), Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Vaccinia virus, and human papillomaviruses (HPV) can provide the helper activities required for AAV growth. The studies on the helper activities provided by adenovirus have provided useful information not only to understand the AAV-2 biology but also to develop tools for the production of recombinant AAV particles (rAAV). This review will focus on the current knowledge about the helper activities provided by the most extensively studied helper viruses, Ad and HSV-1, and also illustrate the methods used to supply the helper functions rAAV assembly.