Human trigeminal ganglionic explants as a model to study alphaherpesvirus reactivation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Virology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Varicella zoster virus (VZV) latency is poorly understood due to the lack of suitable in vitro models.
• Studying VZV latency and reactivation is crucial for understanding shingles and other VZV-related conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize a culture medium for maintaining human trigeminal ganglia (TG) integrity.
• To establish an in vitro model for studying alphaherpesvirus latency and reactivation in human neurons.

Main Methods:

• Human trigeminal ganglia (TG) from autopsy were cultured.
• Histology and immunohistochemistry were used to assess TG integrity.
• Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and VZV DNA replication were quantified in TG explants.

Main Results:

• An optimized culture medium was developed to preserve TG integrity.
• Both HSV-1 and VZV DNA replicated in TG explants after 5 days.
• HSV-1 DNA replication was fourfold greater than VZV DNA replication.

Conclusions:

• A novel in vitro model using human TG explants for studying alphaherpesvirus latency has been established.
• This model facilitates the investigation of molecular events underlying VZV reactivation in human neurons.