Analysis of herpes simplex virus type 1 antigens exposed on the surface of infected tissue culture cells

Abstract

Crossed immunoelectrophoretic analysis of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) antigens solubilized from infected tissue culture cells has previously identified five viral specific precipitates: the type-common Ag-11, Ag-8, and Ag-3, the type-specific Ag-6, and Ag-7, which may be type specific. In the present study, the antigens exposed at the surface of infected cells were analyzed by peroxidase-catalyzed 125I labeling of the cell surface at different times postinfection. The antigens were detectable in the following sequence: Ag11 (5 hr postinfection), Ag-8 (8 hr postinfection) and Ag-6 and Ag-7 (between 8 and 18 hr postinfection). Ag-3 was not exposed at the surface of infected cells and was not present in the HSV-1 virion. Polypeptide analysis of the individual HSV-1 antigens after iodination of the surface of infected cells showed that mainly the glycopolypeptides of the protein complexes were present at the surface. No immunochemical cross-reactivity between the viral and the host cell antigens was demonstrated even though sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis indicated that polypeptides of equal molecular weight were present in Ag-8 and the host cell membrane.