The herpes simplex virus type 1 locus that encodes the latency-associated transcript enhances the frequency of encephalitis in male BALB/c mice.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is the leading cause of virus-induced encephalitis; however, the viral genes that regulate encephalitis have not been well characterized. In this study, we tested whether the LAT (latency-associated transcript) locus regulates the frequency of encephalitis in male or female mice. Male BALB/c mice are more susceptible to HSV-1-induced encephalitis than age-matched female BALB/c mice. Deletion of LAT coding sequences reduced the frequency of encephalitis. A recombinant virus containing the first 1.5 kb of the LAT coding sequence induces levels of encephalitis in male BALB/c mice similar to those induced by wild-type HSV-1.
Jones
Clinton
C
Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Nebraska Center for Virology, University of Nebraska, Fair Street at East Campus Loop, Rm. 104, Lincoln 68583-0905, USA. cjones@unlnotes.unl.edu
Inman
Melissa
M
Peng
Weiping
W
Henderson
Gail
G
Doster
Alan
A
Perng
Guey-Chuen
GC
Angeletti
Anisa Kaenjak
AK
D000818:Animals; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D035683:MicroRNAs; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D035683:MicroRNAs; D014764:Viral Proteins; C477253:latency associated transcript, herpes simplex virus-1