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A study on HSV-1 corneal potential infection by in situ nucleic acid hybridization
1Institute of Ophthalmology, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China.
Purpose:
To evaluate the possibility of HSV-1 corneal latency by in situ nucleic acid hybridization in animal models.
Methods:
20 normal New Zealand White (NEW) rabbits were used, 14 of them were inoculated bilaterally with 3 x 10 PFU/ml of McKrae strain HSV-1 by intrastromal injection. 22/28 eyes developed typical herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) diseases. At 60 day postoperation (PI), 4 latent corneas were transplanted to one eye of 4 noninfected NZW rabbits and removed 2 weeks PI. Corneas at all time intervals of infection and two weeks after PKP were detected for presence of HSV-1 antigen and nucleic acid sequences by using clonal IgG HSV-1 antibody and biotinylated HSV-1 DNA probe individually.
Results:
The results showed that the HSV-1 DNA sequences were retained within the corneal epithelium and anterior stromal keratocytes during acute diseases, while the corneas during latent infection and postoperation, the HSV-1 DNA sequences were retained only within the stromal layer with negative HSV-1 antigen staining.
Conclusions:
These results strongly suggest that the cornea may be capable of harboring latent HSV-1.
Insights
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) DNA was detected in rabbit corneas, suggesting the cornea can harbor latent HSV-1. This finding is crucial for understanding viral persistence and developing new treatments for ocular herpes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) is a significant cause of corneal blindness worldwide.
- The cornea's role in establishing latent herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infections remains incompletely understood.
- Investigating viral persistence mechanisms is crucial for managing recurrent ocular herpes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential for HSV-1 corneal latency using in situ nucleic acid hybridization.
- To determine the location and persistence of HSV-1 genetic material within the cornea during acute and latent phases.
- To assess the cornea's capacity to serve as a reservoir for latent HSV-1.
Main Methods:
- New Zealand White rabbits were inoculated with HSV-1 (McKrae strain) to induce experimental herpes simplex keratitis.
- Corneal tissues were analyzed at various time points post-infection using in situ nucleic acid hybridization and immunohistochemistry.
- HSV-1 DNA and antigen presence was detected using biotinylated HSV-1 DNA probes and specific antibodies.
Main Results:
- HSV-1 DNA sequences were identified in the corneal epithelium and anterior stromal keratocytes during acute disease.
- During latent infection and post-keratoplasty, HSV-1 DNA was exclusively found within the corneal stroma.
- HSV-1 antigen staining was negative in corneas during the latent phase, indicating viral dormancy.
Conclusions:
- The cornea harbors HSV-1 DNA during both acute and latent phases of infection.
- Stromal keratocytes appear to be key cells for maintaining latent HSV-1 in the cornea.
- These findings strongly suggest that the cornea itself is capable of harboring latent HSV-1, offering insights into ocular herpes recurrence.