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Updated: Sep 26, 2026

A Primary Neuron Culture System for the Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Latency and Reactivation
Published on: April 2, 2012
Herpes simplex virus-specific memory CD8+ T cells are selectively activated and retained in latently infected sensory
Kamal M Khanna1, Robert H Bonneau, Paul R Kinchington
1Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Abstract:
This study challenges the concept that herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) latency represents a silent infection that is ignored by the host immune system, and suggests antigen-directed retention of memory CD8(+) T cells. CD8(+) T cells specific for the immunodominant gB(498-505) HSV-1 epitope are selectively retained in the ophthalmic branch of the latently infected trigeminal ganglion, where they acquire and maintain an activation phenotype and the capacity to produce IFN-gamma. Some CD8(+) T cells showed TCR polarization to junctions with neurons. A gB(498-505) peptide-specific CD8(+) T cell clone can block HSV-1 reactivation from latency in ex vivo trigeminal ganglion cultures. We conclude that CD8(+) T cells provide active surveillance of HSV-1 gene expression in latently infected sensory neurons.
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