title: Mimicking herpes simplex virus 1 and herpes simplex virus 2 mucosal behavior in a well-characterized human genital organ culture.
abstract: We developed and morphologically characterized a human genital mucosa explant model (endocervix and ectocervix/vagina) to mimic genital herpes infections caused by herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2). Subsequent analysis of HSV entry receptor expression throughout the menstrual cycle in genital tissues was performed, and the evolution of HSV-1/-2 mucosal spread over time was assessed. Nectin-1 and -2 were expressed in all tissues during the entire menstrual cycle. Herpesvirus entry mediator expression was limited mainly to some connective tissue cells. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 exhibited a plaque-wise mucosal spread across the basement membrane and induced prominent epithelial syncytia.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Virology.
authors.forename: Lennert
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Steukers
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weyers
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Virology.
authors.forename: Xiaoyun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Virology.
authors.forename: Annelies P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Vandekerckhove
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Virology.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Glorieux
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cornelissen
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke.
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Van den Broeck
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
authors.forename: Marleen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Temmerman
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Virology.
authors.forename: Hans J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Nauwynck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000821:virology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000821:virology*; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000821:virology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000821:virology*; D000075983:Nectins; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; C000619010:NECTIN1 protein, human; D000075983:Nectins; D011991:Receptors, Virus
keywords: HSV-1; HSV-2; HVEM; dissemination; ectocervix; endocervix; genital herpes; mucosa; nectin; organ culture