title: The role of nerve growth factor in modulating herpes simplex virus reactivation in vivo.
abstract: The role of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the modulation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) latency and reactivation was investigated in a mouse model. To determine whether NGF depletion would reactivate latent virus, concentrated anti-NGF serum antibodies were administered intraperitoneally to latently infected mice for 9 consecutive days. To determine whether NGF given prophylactically could suppress UV-B-induced viral reactivation, mice were irradiated with UV-B while being treated with NGF using diverse regimes over a 4-day period. Following intraperitoneal administration of anti-NGF antibodies, viral shedding was detected in a small number (10%) of mice, but it was not possible to pharmacologically suppress UV-B-induced viral reactivation with NGF. It would appear, therefore, that HSV latency in neurons innervating the cornea can be sustained and disrupted by physiological factors independent of NGF levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Laycock
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Osborne
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Pepose
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects; D016849:Keratitis, Herpetic / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D012008:Recurrence; D017783:Superior Cervical Ganglion / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D017735:Virus Latency / Q000502:physiology; D017201:Virus Shedding / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors