Varicella-zoster virus infection of adult rat sensory neurons in vitro.
We report here an in vitro model of neuronal infection by varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Such a model has been achieved by using dissociated adult rat dorsal root ganglia cells infected by cocultivation with VZV-infected MRC5 cells or with cell-free virus. Indirect VZV immunolabeling, in situ hybridization, and neuron-specific immunolabeling demonstrated that VZV infection occurred selectively in neurons. VZV-specific immunolabeling detected a few neurons 1 or 2 days postinfection but not later. Genome detection using cloned VZV DNA probes revealed a hybridization signal primarily with RNA. Within 1 to 6 days postinfection, a progressive increase of VZV-specific hybridization was observed in up to 50% of the neurons. RNAs corresponding to immediate-early, early, and late genes were found, and transcripts of immediate-early gene 63 were particularly abundant.
Merville-Louis
M P
MP
Department of Microbiology, University of Liége, Belgium.
Sadzot-Delvaux
C
C
Delrée
P
P
Piette
J
J
Moonen
G
G
Rentier
B
B
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000382:microbiology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000382:microbiology*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D004279:DNA, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral