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Herpes simplex virus persistence in mouse neuroblastoma (C 1300) cell cultures: role of interferon
Abstract:
The Mp strain of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) induced a persistent infection in the mouse C 1300 neuronal cell line (clone N 115). C 1300 cultures infected at an MOI of 0.01 or 0.001 survived the initial infection and continued to produce infectious virus and viral antigens for 185 days and 31 days, respectively. Viral antigens were not detected in cultures no longer producing infectious virus; these "cured" cultures had comparable susceptibility to reinfection with HSV as previously uninfected C 1300 cells. While significant amounts of interferon were produced by C 1300 cells when challenged with Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) or when treated with poly I:C, HSV-induced interferon could not be detected in either the acutely or persistently infected cell lines. The persistent state was not significantly altered by the addition of 1,000 units/ml of murine interferon alpha plus beta (MuIFN alpha + beta), nor was it affected by the addition of antibody to MuIFN. It appears that IFN does not play an important role in the establishment and/or maintenance of viral persistence in this neuronal system.
Insights
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) establishes persistent infections in mouse neuronal cells. Interferon (IFN) does not appear to play a significant role in maintaining this persistent HSV1 infection in neuronal cultures.
Area of Science:
- Neurovirology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) can establish persistent infections.
- Neuronal cell lines offer a model to study viral persistence mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the establishment and maintenance of persistent herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) infection in a mouse neuronal cell line.
- To determine the role of interferon (IFN) in HSV1-induced viral persistence.
Main Methods:
- Infection of C 1300 neuronal cell line (clone N 115) with HSV1 Mp strain at low multiplicity of infection (MOI).
- Monitoring of infectious virus production, viral antigen expression, and cell survival over extended periods.
- Assessment of cellular interferon production in response to HSV1, Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), and poly I:C.
- Evaluation of the effect of exogenous murine interferon alpha plus beta (MuIFN α+β) and anti-IFN antibody on viral persistence.
Main Results:
- Persistent HSV1 infection was established in C 1300 cells, with infectious virus and antigens produced for extended durations (up to 185 days).
- "Cured" cultures, no longer producing infectious virus, remained susceptible to reinfection.
- HSV1-infected cells did not produce detectable levels of interferon, unlike cells stimulated with NDV or poly I:C.
- Interferon treatment or antibody addition did not significantly alter the persistent state.
Conclusions:
- Interferon (IFN) does not appear to be a critical factor in the establishment or maintenance of HSV1 persistence in this mouse neuronal cell model.
- Neuronal cells can harbor persistent HSV1 infections independent of a significant IFN response.