Herpes virus entry mediator in human corneal epithelial cells modulates the production of inflammatory cytokines in response to HSV type 1 challenge.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM) in viral entry and inflammatory cytokine production in response to herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 challenge in human corneal epithelial cells.


METHODS
HVEM expression in human corneal epithelial cells was determined by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. The HSV-1 virus expressing β-galactosidase was used to challenge corneal epithelial cells and viral entry assays were performed to ascertain HSV-1 entry into cells. Levels of cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-x03B3;, IL-12, and IL-18 and chemokines MIP-1α, MIP-1β and MIP-2 were detected in corneal epithelial cells treated with control or HVEM siRNA in response to HSV-1 challenge.


RESULTS
Human corneal epithelial cells were positive for HVEM expression and showed high susceptibility to HSV-1 entry. Silencing of HVEM did not alter viral entry dramatically. However, levels of the cytokine IFN-x03B3; and chemokines MIP-1α and MIP-1β were measured to be higher in HVEM siRNA-treated cells than control after HSV-1 challenge.


CONCLUSIONS
HVEM in human corneal epithelial cells may act to dampen the production of some cytokines and chemokines and thus it may modulate the innate immune response against HSV-1. This may provide a novel mechanism for the pathogenesis of HSV-1 infection in the cornea.
Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
Hui
H
Guo
Kunpeng
K
Pang
Yan
Y
Wei
Cuihua
C
Yi
Xinyi
X
Wu
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D020868:Gene Silencing / Q000502:physiology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D053240:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Member 14 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014709:Vero Cells; D014779:Virus Replication
D016207:Cytokines; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D053240:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Member 14