Surface antigens on HeLa cells persistently infected with HVJ (Sendai virus)

Surface antigens of HeLaHVJ cells, a cell line persistently infected with HVJ, were studied by fluorescent antibody staining. After absorption with concentrated HVJ virions and HeLa cells, anti-HeLaHVJ antiserum was able to demonstrate specific surface fluorescence on HeLaHVJ cells, while this serum no longer reacted with original HeLa cells nor with HVJ virions. During cytolytic infection of HeLa cells with HVJ, this specific surface antigen appeared at an early stage of infection prior to the appearance of newly synthesized HVJ viral antigens and moreover appeared in spite of the inhibition of viral protein synthesis. This antigen was detected neither on HeLa cells infected with other myxoviruses except HVJ nor on various other kinds of cells infected with HVJ. The specific surface antigen was still found on the HeLaHVJ cell surface after incubation at 38 degrees C for two days, while HVJ structural antigens on the cell surface no longer could be detected. Mild short-term treatment of HeLa cells with trypsin, neuraminidase from vibrio cholerae, phospholipase-C and hyaluronidase failed to expose specific antigen. The antigen was distinguishable from the Forssman and human blood type antigens. The mechanism of appearance of a new antigen on the surface of HeLaHVJ cells remains unclear.