EFFECT OF CD4 GENE-EXPRESSION ON ADENOVIRUS REPLICATION

The gene encoding the CD4 receptor was introduced into KB cells to est ablish the KBT4 cell line, a cell line susceptible to infection with h uman immunodeficiency virus type 1. Adenovirus replication was found t o be significantly less in these cells than in the parental KB cells. Similar decreased adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) replication occurred in HeLa T4 cells compared with the original Hela cells. The presence of CD4 di d not alter the cell surface population of KB cell adenovirus receptor s, since viral adsorption was similar in the two cell lines. Moreover, addition of soluble CD4 did not reduce viral replication in either KB or KBT4 infected cells. Uncoating of viral DNA was also unchanged in KBT4 cells compared with the parental KB cells. In contrast, migration to or entrance of viral DNA into nuclei and synthesis of early viral RNAs was delayed and reduced in KBT4 cells. These effects were more pr onounced for Ad7 than for Ad5. The yields of infectious viruses were t he same in both cell lines, however, after transfection of naked viral DNAs to initiate infection. These results imply that the expression o f the CD4 gene in KBT4 cells interfered with passage of uncoated virus across endosomal vesicles and/or transfer of uncoated core viral DNA into the nucleus.