[Immunohistochemical investigation on intraneural localization of herpes simplex virus type 1 in experimental retinitis. 1. Observation of the retina and optic nerve on the injected side].
In order to examine transfer of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in the retina and optic nerve in rats with experimental retinitis, an HSV-1 suspension (Miyama strain, 1 x 10(7) plaque-forming units per ml, 10 microliters) was inoculated into the vitreous body. One to seven days after HSV-1 inoculation, the animals were perfused through the heart with Zamboni's fixative. Fifty-microns-thick cryostat-cut sections through the retina and optic nerve were immunostained for HSV-1 antigen with rabbit anti-HSV-1 antiserum and avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex. Some sections were counterstained with hematoxylin. At an early stage of the postinoculation period, HSV-1 immunoreactivity was first seen in the cytoplasm of Müller cells and then in various cells of the inner nuclear layer. HSV-1 immunoreactivity was extremely dense in the nuclei of these cells, suggesting that HSV-1 replicates in the nuclei and propagates through the cytoplasm to the membrane of cell processes. At a later stage of the postinoculation period, HSV-1 immunoreactivity was seen in some retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve fibers. The labeling of the optic nerve fibers was found even in the optic tract and often accompanied by labeled glial cells adjacent to the nerve fibers.
Department of Ophthalmology, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan.
M
M
Matsushima
M
M
Uyama
A
A
Ohyama
T
T
Ueyama
T
T
Sugimoto
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000382:microbiology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000382:microbiology*; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012160:Retina / Q000382:microbiology*; D012173:Retinitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D014779:Virus Replication
D000956:Antigens, Viral