A latent infection of herpes simplex virus type 2 in a human neuroblastoma cell line IMR-32.
Human neuroblastoma (IMR-32) cells were infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 2 plaque-forming units (PFU)/cell and were cultured at 40 degrees C for 14 days. Then neither infectious virus particles nor virus capsids were detected in these cells whereas the presence of virus-specific antigens was observed by immunofluorescent antibody staining technique in 16.9 +/- 3.2 per cent of the infected cell population. When the cultivation temperature was shifted down from 40 degrees C to 35 degrees C, reactivation of virus growth occurred after lag periods of 2-9 days. These findings indicate that the IMR-32 cells can be latently infected with HSV-2 at 40 degrees C and that virus growth may be inhibited at the level of synthesis of virus-specific macromolecules or at some step preceding nucleocapsid formation.
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002460:Cell Line; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000382:microbiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000382:microbiology; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013696:Temperature; D014779:Virus Replication
D000956:Antigens, Viral