Susceptibility of human retinal pigment epithelial cells to different viruses.
BACKGROUND
Different viruses have been reported to be involved in retinal diseases in animal systems. In humans, herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus have been found to cause retinal disease. Most of the studied viruses are neurotropic. In this study, the in vitro susceptibility of human retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPEC) to representative members of different groups of human pathogenic viruses was investigated.


METHODS
Early cultures of RPE C - after two or three passages - were infected with the following viruses: herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1, human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), adenovirus types 1 and 7, measles virus, parainfluenza virus and coxsackie virus B3.


RESULTS
Cultures of RPE C could be infected with neurotropic viruses like HSV or measles virus as well as with typical respiratory viruses like parainfluenza or adenoviruses. Coxsackievirus, an enterovirus, replicated as well as human CMV, whereas EBV and HHV-6, two lymphotropic viruses, failed to infect RPE.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that a variety of viruses, including those causing rather common illnesses, might be capable of inducing retinal lesions under certain circumstances due to haematogenous spread during the course of viraemia.
Huemer
H P
HP
Institute for Hygiene, University of Innsbruck, Austria.
Larcher
C
C
Kirchebner
W
W
Klingenschmid
J
J
Göttinger
W
W
Irschick
E U
EU
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral; D004267:DNA Viruses / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000166:cytology / Q000821:virology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral