Increased susceptibility of herpes simplex virus-1 growth in phytohemagglutinin-activated T lymphocytes caused by upregulation of herpesvirus entry mediator A mRNA expression.
OBJECTIVE
To study herpes simplex virus (HSV) growth in human T lymphocytes (Jurkat cells) with and without phytohemagglutinin (PHA) activation and to investigate the possible mechanism of viral growth.


METHODS
The levels of HSV-1 production and adsorption were determined by plaque titration assay. The number of HSV-1-infected cells was assayed using flow cytometry. The expression of herpesvirus entry mediator A (HveA) mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.


RESULTS
HSV-1 production as well as the number of HSV-1-infected Jurkat cells were enhanced after the cells were activated by PHA. Moreover, the amount of viral entry was demonstrated to increase in PHA-activated cells. An increase in HveA mRNA was observed in PHA-activated Jurkat cells.


CONCLUSIONS
We found that HSV-1 can replicate in human T lymphocytes, and the replication was increased following PHA activation. This finding may be due to an increase in viral entry via HveA receptor.
Chimma
Phattamawan
P
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Chirathaworn
Chintana
C
Bhattarakosol
Parvapan
P
D000818:Animals; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000254:growth & development*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000254:growth & development; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D053240:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Member 14; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000235:genetics*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology*; D015854:Up-Regulation
D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D053240:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Member 14; D011991:Receptors, Virus; C506028:TNFRSF14 protein, human