title: HSV-2 induces TLRs and NF-kappaB-dependent cytokines in cervical epithelial cells.
abstract: Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is one of the most common sexually transmitted pathogens worldwide. The host immune response induced by viral infection is cell-type specific. Little is known about the innate immune response to this virus in its natural host cells. In this study, we established an in vitro HSV-2 infection model with human cervical epithelial (HCE) cells. The viral infection was sufficient to induce expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and Western blot and reporter assays suggest that HSV-2 infection leads to dramatic activation of the NF-kappaB signaling pathway. More importantly, our data provide direct evidence that the activation of NF-kappaB is required for the production of both IL-6 and IFN-beta induced by HSV-2 in HCE cells. Taken together, our results suggest the potential contributions of TLRs and a critical role of NF-kappaB in the innate immune response to HSV-2 in HCE cells.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Virology, Wuhan University School of Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiaoling
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Xuefeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xinxing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D051217:Toll-Like Receptor 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D016328:NF-kappa B; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D051217:Toll-Like Receptor 9