LATENT HSV-1 INFECTION CAN BE ESTABLISHED IN KERATINOCYTE CELLS FOLLOWING TREATMENT WITH MITOTIC INHIBITORS

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection of murine keratinocyte cell lines (HEL-30 and PAM-212) treated
with mitotic inhibitors leads to silencing of virus replication. At 0.1 (Multiplicity of infection) MOI, PAM-212
keratinocytes showed some cell lysis; and viral plaques were seen in HEL-30 keratinocyte cultures. PAM-212
keratinocytes, infected at 0.01 MOI, were more susceptible to the lytic effect of HSV-1 than were HEL-30 cells. In
this study, 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FUDR) treatment of both keratinocyte cell lines permitted an increase survival
of HSV-1- infected keratinocytes especially for PAM-212 cell line which was further examined for the presence of
sequestered virus after treatment with FUDR and infection with HSV-1. In this post-mitotic state, HSV-1-infected
keratinocytes appeared to contain latent virus as suggested by the lack of virus plaques or cytopathic effect (CPE).
After infection, these cells were examined for the presence of replicating HSV-1 in Vero cell overlays. Virus
plaques were found suggesting that latency may have been established.