Alteration of intracerebral cytokine production in mice infected with herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2.
Previously we reported that a lethal strain of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infects the brain following ocular inoculation of mice. We now demonstrate that HSV-2 mediates an unusual intracellular sequestering of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens. With use of an RNase protection assay, we observed a selective inhibition of IFN-gamma and IL-6 gene transcription in brains of mice infected with HSV-2. It is likely that the inhibition of cytokine gene expression was mediated through a failure to activate CD4+ lymphocytes. These data suggest that the infecting herpesvirus can influence the profile of intracerebrally produced cytokines, which in turn may determine the outcome of the infection.
Lewandowski
G
G
Department of Neuropharmacology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037.
Hobbs
M V
MV
Bloom
F E
FE
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D016207:Cytokines; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II