Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Ex Vivo Infection of Murine Epidermis with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1
11:56

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

Published on: August 24, 2015

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) glycoprotein K(gK) is essential for viral corneal spread and

Andrew T David1, A Baghian, T P Foster

  • 1Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, USA.

Current Eye Research
|June 24, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Herpes simplex virus-1 glycoprotein K (gK) is crucial for viral spread in the cornea and invasion of the trigeminal ganglia. Deleting gK in HSV-1 prevents corneal infection and neuroinvasion in mice.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) establishes lifelong latency, often in the trigeminal ganglia.
  • Reactivation of HSV-1 can lead to ocular disease, such as keratitis.
  • The role of specific viral proteins in HSV-1 pathogenesis is critical for understanding infection dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of HSV-1 glycoprotein K (gK) in ocular infection.
  • To determine the role of gK in viral neuroinvasion to the trigeminal ganglia.
  • To assess the impact of gK on HSV-1 latency establishment.

Main Methods:

  • Construction of a recombinant HSV-1 (McKrae) Delta gK (MKDelta gK) virus with a deleted gK gene.
  • Ocular infection of Balb/c mice with MKDelta gK and a rescued wild-type-like virus (MKgK).
  • Monitoring of corneal infection spread, clinical disease, and viral DNA detection in trigeminal ganglia via PCR.

Main Results:

  • Mice infected with MKDelta gK showed no clinical signs, unlike those infected with MKgK.
  • MKDelta gK failed to spread in mouse corneas, whereas MKgK spread efficiently.
  • HSV DNA was detected in trigeminal ganglia of MKgK-infected mice but rarely in MKDelta gK-infected mice.

Conclusions:

  • HSV-1 gK is essential for efficient viral replication and spread within the corneal epithelium.
  • gK plays a critical role in HSV-1 neuroinvasion into the trigeminal ganglia.
  • The absence of gK significantly impairs the establishment of HSV-1 infection and latency.

More Related Videos

A Primary Neuron Culture System for the Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Latency and Reactivation12:22

A Primary Neuron Culture System for the Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Latency and Reactivation

Published on: April 2, 2012

Porcine Corneal Tissue Explant to Study the Efficacy of Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Antivirals08:31

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

Published on: September 20, 2021

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...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Glycocalyx and its Functions01:14

Glycocalyx and its Functions

The glycocalyx is a carbohydrate-rich, fuzzy-appearing layer on the outer surface of the cell membrane. It is highly hydrophilic, because of this it attracts large amounts of water to the cell's surface. This aids the cell's interaction with the watery environment and also helps it to obtain substances dissolved in the water. It is also important for cell identification, self/non-self determination, and embryonic development and is used in cell-to-cell attachments to form tissues.
Components of...
Chickenpox01:20

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is an acute, highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family. Its transmission occurs primarily through the inhalation of respiratory droplets or direct contact with vesicular fluid from skin lesions. The incubation period typically ranges from 10 to 21 days, during which the virus replicates and disseminates through sequential phases within the host. Although generally self-limiting in children,...