Reactivation of UV and γ-inactivated herpes virus in BHK cells

The DNA-repair capabilities of baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells were investigated by comparing the reactivation of irradiated herpes simplex virus type I (HSV1) in BHK cells with its reactivation in mouse fibroblasts and in normal and repair-deficient human diploid fibroblasts. BHK cells were found to have an intermediate ability to reactivate UV-irradiated HSV1 (the viral D0 was 14 J/m2) relative to normal human fibroblasts (viral D0 = 19 J/m2) and xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) group A cells (viral D0 = 4.5 J/m2). With mouse L 929 cells as the host, the response of the UV-irradiated virus was biphasic with D0s of 4.6 and 30 J/m2 for the low- and high-dose components respectively. In contrast to the response following UV radiation, γ-irradiated HSV1 was similarly reactivated by BHK and normal human cells (the D0s for the irradiated virus in BHK and CRL 1106 were 55 and 51 krad, respectively, whereas xeroderma pigmentosum cells were slightly less efficient in the repair of γ-irradiated virus (D0 = 45 krad)). UV irradiation of BHK host cells 0-48 h prior to infection enhanced the reactivation of UV-irradiated HSV. (orig.)