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Recovery of herpes simplex virus from ocular tissues of latently infected inbred mice
1Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322.
Abstract:
Evidence for latent infection of ocular tissues following topical corneal inoculation with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV) was sought in three strains of inbred mice that differ in susceptibility to HSV stromal keratitis. Corneas of BALB/c, C57BL/6, and DBA/2 mice were inoculated topically with HSV. At 6-8 weeks after inoculation, when no active ocular infection was present, minced whole eyes and trigeminal ganglia were assayed for latent virus. Virus was recovered by explantation from minced eyes of all three strains (DBA/2 = 20%; BALB/c = 17%; C57BL/6 = 7%). In order to determine which ocular structures harbored virus, corneas, retinas and choroid-sclera were cultivated separately. Virus was activated from corneas of DBA/2 and BALB/c mice, but not from corneas of C57BL/6 mice. These findings suggest that HSV is capable of establishing latent infection in ocular tissue of inbred mice and that the rate of establishment of latency is under host genetic control. Since neural cell bodies are not present in the cornea, the data suggest that latency is established in cells other than neurons.
Insights
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) can establish latent infections in mouse ocular tissues. Genetic factors in mice influence the rate of HSV latency establishment in the eye, suggesting non-neuronal cells are involved.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV) is a common human pathogen.
- HSV can cause stromal keratitis, a serious ocular infection.
- Latent HSV infections can reactivate, leading to recurrent disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the establishment of latent herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV) infection in ocular tissues of different inbred mouse strains.
- To determine the influence of host genetic factors on HSV latency in the eye.
- To identify the specific ocular structures harboring latent HSV.
Main Methods:
- Topical corneal inoculation of BALB/c, C57BL/6, and DBA/2 mice with HSV.
- Assay for latent virus in minced whole eyes and trigeminal ganglia at 6-8 weeks post-inoculation.
- Separate cultivation of corneas, retinas, and choroid-sclera to identify virus-harboring ocular structures.
Main Results:
- Latent HSV was recovered from the eyes of all three mouse strains, with varying percentages (DBA/2 = 20%; BALB/c = 17%; C57BL/6 = 7%).
- Virus was activated from corneas of DBA/2 and BALB/c mice, but not from C57BL/6 mice.
- These results indicate that HSV establishes latency in ocular tissues, and the efficiency is genetically controlled by the host.
Conclusions:
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) establishes latent infections in ocular tissues of inbred mice.
- The rate of HSV latency establishment in the eye is influenced by host genetic factors.
- Latency is likely established in non-neuronal cells within the cornea, as neural cell bodies are absent there.