Suppression of HSV-1 infection in trigeminal ganglion cells. An in vitro model of latency.

The goal of this experiment was to develop an in vitro model of HSV-1 infection and to characterize the virologic parameters associated with such an infection. An in vitro model of HSV-1 infection would offer a defined, efficient, and easily controlled system for studying the mechanisms associated with HSV-1 latency and reactivation. Results indicate that: (1) in the presence of 100 micrograms/ml acyclovir, acute infection is suppressed within 3 days; (2) during suppression, infectious virus was recovered only from whole cell trigeminal ganglion explants (no virus recovery from supernate or homogenized samples); immunofluorescent staining was evident with antiserum to VP175, but not with antiserum to HSV-1 and intranuclear inclusions, but no intact virions were observed in neurons by electron microscopy; (3) 72 hr after desuppression of HSV infected trigeminal ganglion cells infectious HSV-1 was recovered from supernate, homogenized, and whole cell cultures. Immunofluorescent staining was observed with antisera to VP175 and HSV-1; intranuclear inclusions as well as intact virus particles were noted in neurons via electron microscopy.