Potentiation of an adenovirus-associated virus by herpes simplex virus type-2-transformed cells

The herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2)-transformed cell line 333-8-9 was inoculated with adeno-virus-associated virus type 3 (AAV-3) and examined by immunofluorescent (FA) techniques for evidence of AAV-3 antigen synthesis. Antisera prepared against the three sodium dodecyl sulfate-dissociated structural polypeptides (VP-1, VP-2, and VP-3) of AAV-3 and against the whole AAV-3 virion were used as probes to search for AAV-3 FA-stainable antigens synthesized by these cells. The 333-8-9 cells inoculated with AAV-3 ALONE PRODUCED FA-stainable antigens detected by VP-1, VP-3, and whole virion antisera, but not by the VP-2 antiserum. Coinfection of AAV-3-INOCULATED 333-8-9 CELLS WITH EITHER ADENOVIRUS TYPE-2 (Ad.2) or herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) helper permitted the formation of FA-stainable antigens detected by all antisera, including the VP-2 antiserum. In contrast to 333-8-9 cells, BHK-21 cells failed to produce AAV-3 FA-stainable antigens when inoculated with AAV-3 alone; addition of either Ad.2 or HSV-1 helper led to formation of antigens detected by all VP and whole virion antisera. These results suggest that 333-8-9 cells enhance the formation of two of the three AAV-3 structural polypeptides and that this incomplete potentiation may be related to HSV-2 genetic material possessed by these cells.