Human cytomegalovirus IE1 protein enhances herpes simplex virus type 1-induced syncytial formation in U373MG cells.
Co-infection of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is not uncommon in immunocompromised hosts. Importantly, organ transplant recipients concurrently infected with HSV-1 and HCMV have a worse clinical outcome than recipients infected with a single virus. However, factors regulating the pathologic response in HSV-1, HCMV co-infected tissues are unclear. We investigated the potential biologic role of HCMV gene product immediate early 1 (IE1) protein in HSV-1-induced syncytial formation in U373MG cells. We utilized a co-infection model by infecting HSV-1 to U373MG cells constitutively expressing HCMV IE1 protein, UMG1-2. Syncytial formation was assessed by enumerating nuclei number per syncytium and number of syncytia. HSV-1-induced syncytial formation was enhanced after 24 hr in UMG1-2 cells compared with U373MG controls. The amplified phenotype in UMG1-2 cells was effectively suppressed by roscovitine in addition to inhibitors of viral replication. This is the first study to provide histological evidence of the contribution of HCMV IE1 protein to enhanced cytopathogenic responses in active HSV-1 infection.
Shin
Ki-Chul
KC
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Park
Chung-Gyu
CG
Hwang
Eung-Soo
ES
Cha
Chang-Yon
CY
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000821:virology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011687:Purines / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077546:Roscovitine; D014162:Transfection; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
C088645:IE1 protein, cytomegalovirus; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011687:Purines; D000077546:Roscovitine