Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Porcine Corneal Tissue Explant to Study the Efficacy of Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Antivirals
08:31

Porcine Corneal Tissue Explant to Study the Efficacy of Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Antivirals

Published on: September 20, 2021

Herpes simplex virus as a determinant risk factor for coronary artery atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction

Dimosthenis Kotronias1, Nikiforos Kapranos

  • 1MITERA Maternity and Surgical Center, 6 Erythrou Stavrou Str., 151 23 Athens, Greece.

In Vivo (Athens, Greece)
|March 31, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is detected in coronary arteries, suggesting a role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Antiviral treatments may offer new ways to prevent vascular damage.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Virology
  • Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis

Background:

  • Viruses are implicated in atherogenesis, appearing in vascular tissues.
  • Herpes simplex virus (HSV) role in coronary artery atherosclerosis stages requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the role of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in early and late stages of coronary artery atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • Nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) and in situ hybridization with tyramide signal amplification (ISH-TSA) were used.
  • Coronary artery samples from 42 myocardial infarction (MI) cases and 28 young individuals were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • HSV was detected in 43% of MI cases and 25% of young individuals by nPCR.
  • HSV DNA was found in 38% of MI cases and 25% of young individuals by ISH-TSA.
  • HSV DNA localized in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, macrophages, and lymphocytes in MI cases.

Conclusions:

  • HSV appears to significantly contribute to the initiation and progression of coronary atherosclerosis.
  • Findings suggest potential for antiviral therapies in preventing vascular damage.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Recurrent Herpetic Stromal Keratitis in Mice, a Model for Studying Human HSK07:27

Recurrent Herpetic Stromal Keratitis in Mice, a Model for Studying Human HSK

Published on: December 18, 2012

Ex Vivo Infection of Murine Epidermis with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 111:56

Ex Vivo Infection of Murine Epidermis with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1

Published on: August 24, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Herpes01:28

Herpes

Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV‑1) is a widespread pathogen responsible for orolabial lesions. It is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) virus belonging to the family Herpesviridae. Once the virus infects a host cell, its double‑stranded DNA genome is delivered into the nucleus, where a coordinated cascade of immediate‑early, early, and late gene expression directs viral DNA replication, structural protein synthesis, and virion assembly. After primary infection of epithelial cells, HSV-1...
Genital Herpes01:23

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), though herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is increasingly implicated in genital infections, particularly among younger populations. Transmission occurs mainly through sexual contact, with asymptomatic viral shedding serving as a major route of spread. This characteristic makes HSV-2 difficult to control at a population level, as individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus even in the...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...