Helper function of adenovirus 2 for adenovirus 41 antigen synthesis in semi-permissive and non-permissive cells

Abstract

Using a fluorescent focus assay, complementation and interference effects of Ad 2 and Ad 41 on each other in mixed infection were investigated. Ad 2 provided a helper function for Ad 41 late antigen synthesis in cells normally non-permissive for Ad 41 growth (HEF cells), and enhanced Ad 41 late antigen synthesis in semi-permissive Chang conjunctival cells. The degree of complementation by Ad 2 was dependent on its input concentration. In addition, interference by Ad 41 on Ad 2 replication was seen in HEF cells. The degree of interference by Ad 41 was dependent on the relative time of infection by each serotype. The complementation results in HEF cells suggest an absolute dependency of Ad 41 on an adenovirus helper function in these cells. The results presented are consistent with the postulated helper function provided in trans by 293 cells, which are transformed by Ad 5 early region 1.