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J C Glorioso

Publications and source records attributed to J C Glorioso.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

The pseudorabies virus gII gene is closely related to the gB glycoprotein gene of herpes simplex virus.

We have looked for conserved DNA sequences between four herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) glycoprotein genes encoding gB, gC, gD, and gE and pseudorabies virus (PRV) DNA, HSV-1 DNA fragments representing these four glycoprotein-coding sequences were hybridized to restriction enzyme fragments of PRV DNA by the Southern blot procedure. Specific hybridization was observed only when HSV-1 gB DNA was used as probe. This region of hybridization was localized to a 5.2-kilobase (kb) region mapping at approximately 0.15 map units on the PRV genome. Northern blot (RNA blot) analysis, with a 1.2-kb probe derived from this segment, revealed a predominant hybridizing RNA species of approximately 3 kb in PRV-infected PK15 cells. DNA sequence analysis of the region corresponding to this RNA revealed a single large open reading frame with significant nucleotide homology with the gB gene of HSV-1 KOS 321. In addition, the beginning of the sequenced PRV region also contained the end of an open reading frame with amino acid homology to HSV-1 ICP 18.5, a protein that may be involved in viral glycoprotein transport. This sequence partially overlaps the PRV gB homolog coding sequence. We have shown that the PRV gene with homology to HSV-1 gB encoded the gII glycoprotein gene by expressing a 765-base-pair segment of the PRV open reading frame in Escherichia coli as a protein fused to beta-galactosidase. Antiserum, raised in rabbits, against this fusion protein immunoprecipitated a specific family of PRV glycoproteins of apparent molecular mass 110, 68, and 55 kilodaltons that have been identified as the gII family of glycoproteins. Analysis of the predicted amino acid sequence indicated that the PRV gII protein shares 50% amino acid homology with the aligned HSV-1 gB protein. All 10 cysteine residues located outside of the signal sequence, as well as 4 of 6 potential N-linked glycosylation sites, were conserved between the two proteins. The primary protein sequence for HSV-1 gB regions known to be involved in the rate of virus entry into the cells and cell-cell fusion, as well as regions known to be associated with monoclonal antibody resistance, were highly homologous with the PRV protein sequence. Furthermore, monospecific antibody made against PRV gII immunoprecipitated HSV-1 gB from infected cells. Taken together, these findings suggest significant conservation of structure and function between the two proteins and may indicate a common evolutionary history.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Activation of human natural killer cells by herpes simplex virus type 1-infected cells.

Human natural killer (NK) cells were shown to be much more cytolytic for WISH cells infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) than for uninfected cells during 18-hour 51Cr release assays. Cold-target competition experiments involving high cold target to radiolabeled target cell ratios demonstrated that infected cells specifically competed for lytic activity against infected cell targets, and, therefore, the infected cells were not inherently more sensitive to lysis than uninfected cells. In contrast to these findings, depletion experiments involving low ratios of cold HSV-1-infected targets to labeled infected target cells resulted in increased lytic activity against uninfected cell targets. This finding suggested that NK effectors with specificity for WISH cell surface determinants had become highly activated during the depletion incubation. The addition of interferon alpha and particularly interleukin 2 to NK cytotoxicity assays enhanced NK cytolytic activity against both infected and uninfected target cells in a dose-dependent manner. Interleukin 1 did not give this effect. However, the enhanced lytic activity of NK cells following exposure to low doses of infected cell cold targets cannot be explained solely on the basis of release of the three lymphokines tested, since interleukin 1 was not effective, interleukin 2 was not detected in culture supernatants derived from the competition experiments, and NK cells preferentially lyse HSV-1-infected target cells independent of the enhancing effects of interferon. Together, the results indicated that NK cells recognize and bind to specific target cell surface structures which may, in turn, enhance their lytic activity.

Cell Line↗

Specificity of human natural killer cells in limiting dilution culture for determinants of herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoproteins.

The frequency and specificity of human cells with natural killer (NK) cytotoxic activity for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-infected targets was measured by limiting dilution culture. The frequency of NK cell precursors (NK-p) reactive with HSV-1-infected cells was 2- to 11-fold higher than that of NK-p reactive with mock-infected cells. The frequency of NK-p reactive with infected target cells lacking viral glycoprotein C or presenting an antigenically altered glycoprotein B was approximately twofold lower than that with wild-type virus-infected cells. Specificity analysis demonstrated that NK cells with a high statistical probability of being monoclonal were reactive with either glycoprotein B or C. These results provide the first evidence that cells with human NK activity possess clonal specificity for HSV-1-infected target cells.

Antigens, Viral↗

Pathogenicity in mice of herpes simplex virus type 2 mutants unable to express glycoprotein C.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) mutants that were unable to express glycoprotein C (gC-2) were isolated. Deletions were made in a cloned copy of the gC-2 gene, and recombinant viruses containing these deletions were screened by using an immunoreactive plaque selection protocol. The viruses did not display a syncytial phenotype. Intravaginal inoculation of BALB/cJ mice with one of the HSV-2 gC-2- viruses produced local inflammation followed by a lethal spread of the viral infection into the nervous system in a manner identical to that produced by parental HSV-2 strain 333. Similarly, intracerebral inoculation of DBA-2 mice with the gC-2- virus produced a lethal neurological disease paralleling that caused by HSV-2 strain 333. These results indicate that gC-2 is not required for the spread of HSV-2 infections in mice.

Animals↗

Molecular basis of the glycoprotein C-negative phenotypes of herpes simplex virus type 1 mutants selected with a virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibody.

Previously (Holland et al., J. Virol. 52:566-574, 1984; Kikuchi et al., J. Virol. 52:806-815, 1984) we described the isolation and partial characterization of over 100 herpes simplex virus type 1 mutants which were resistant to neutralization by a pool of glycoprotein C- (gC) specific monoclonal antibodies. The genetic basis for the inability of several of these gC- mutants to express an immunoreactive envelope form of gC is reported here. Comparative nucleotide sequence analysis of the gC gene of the six mutants gC-3, gC-8, gC-49, gC-53, gC-85, and synLD70, which secrete truncated gC polypeptides, with that of the wild-type KOS 321 gC gene revealed that these mutant phenotypes were caused by frameshift or nonsense mutations, resulting in premature termination of gC translation. Secretion of the gC polypeptide from cells infected with these mutants was due to the lack of a functional transmembrane anchor sequence. The six secretor mutants were tested for suppression of amber mutations in mixed infection with a simian virus 40 amber suppressor vector. Mutant gC-85 was suppressed and produced a wild-type-sized membrane-bound gC. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the six gC deletion mutants gC-5, gC-13, gC-21, gC-39, gC-46, and gC-98 revealed that they carried identical deletions which removed 1,702 base pairs of the gC gene. The deletion, which was internal to the gC gene, removed the entire gC coding sequence and accounted for the novel 1.1-kilobase mRNA previously seen in infections with these mutants. The mutant gC-44 was previously shown to produce a membrane-bound gC protein indistinguishable in molecular weight from wild-type gC. This mutant differed from wild-type virus in that it had reduced reactivity with virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the gC gene of mutant gC-44 demonstrated a point mutation which changed amino acid 329 of gC from a serine to a phenylalanine.

Animals↗

Antigenic variation (mar mutations) in herpes simplex virus glycoprotein B can induce temperature-dependent alterations in gB processing and virus production.

Monoclonal antibody-resistant (mar) mutants altered in the antigenic structure of glycoprotein B (gB) of herpes simplex virus type 1, strain KOS-321, were selected by neutralization with each of six independently derived gB-specific monoclonal antibodies. Analysis of the reactivity patterns of these mar mutants with a panel of 16 virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies identified at least five nonoverlapping epitopes on this antigen, designated groups I through V. Multiple mar mutations were also introduced into the gB structural gene by recombination and sequential antibody selection to produce a set of mar mutants with double, triple, and quadruple epitope alterations. Group II (B2) and group III (B4) antibodies were used to select the corresponding mutants, mar B2.1 and mar B4.1, which in addition to carrying the mar phenotype were temperature sensitive (ts) for processing of the major partially glycosylated precursor of gB, pgB (Mr = 107,000), to mature gB (Mr = 126,000) and showed reduced levels of gB on the cell surface at high temperature (39 degrees C). These mutants were not, however, ts for production of infectious progeny. A recombinant virus, mar B2/4.1, carrying both of these alterations was ts for virus production and failed to produce and transport any detectable mature gB to the cell surface at 39 degrees C. Rather, pgB accumulated in the infected cell. Revertants of the ts phenotype, isolated from virus plaques at 39 degrees C, regained the B2 but not the B4 epitope and were phenotypically indistinguishable from the mar B4.1 parent. Finally, it was shown that group II (B5) and group III (B4) antibodies failed to immunoprecipitate pgB (39 degrees C) produced by ts gB mutants of herpes simplex virus type 1 which were not selected with monoclonal antibodies. Taken together, our findings indicate that (i) mar mutations can alter antigenic as well as other functional domains of gB, namely, the domain(s) involved in processing and infectivity, and (ii) group II and group III epitopes lie within an essential functional domain of gB which is a target for ts gB mutations.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Binding of complement component C3b to glycoprotein gC of herpes simplex virus type 1: mapping of gC-binding sites and demonstration of conserved C3b binding in low-passage clinical isolates.

The sites on glycoprotein gC of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) which bind complement component C3b were evaluated by using anti-gC monoclonal antibodies and mutants which have alterations at defined regions of the glycoprotein. Monoclonal antibodies were incubated with HSV-1-infected cells in a competitive assay to block C3b binding. Each of 12 different monoclonals, which recognize the four major antigenic sites of gC, completely inhibited C3b binding. With this approach, no one antigenic group on gC could be assigned as the C3b-binding region. Next, 21 gC mutants were evaluated for C3b binding, including 1 which failed to synthesize gC, 4 which synthesized truncated forms of the glycoprotein such that gC did not insert into the cell's membrane, and 16 which expressed gC on the cell's surface but which had mutations in various antigenic groups. Eleven strains did not bind C3b. This included the 1 strain which did not synthesize gC, the 4 strains which secreted gC without inserting the glycoprotein into the cell membrane, and 6 of 16 strains which expressed gC on the cell surface. In these six strains, the mutations were at three different antigenic sites. One hypothesis to explain these findings is that C3b binding is modified by changes in the conformation of gC which develop either after antibodies bind to gC or as a result of mutations in the gC gene. Attachment of C3b to gC was also evaluated in 31 low-passage clinical isolates of HSV-1. Binding was detected with each HSV-1 isolate, but not with nine HSV-2 isolates. Therefore, although mutants that lack C3b binding are readily selected in vitro, the C3b-binding function of gC is maintained in vivo. These results indicate that the sites on gC that bind C3b are different from those that bind monoclonal antibodies, that antibodies directed against all sites on gC block C3b binding, and that C3b binding is a conserved function of gC in vivo.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Transcriptional control signals of a herpes simplex virus type 1 late (gamma 2) gene lie within bases -34 to +124 relative to the 5' terminus of the mRNA.

The cis-acting DNA sequences required for regulated expression of a herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) late (gamma 2) gene were studied by using viruses containing specific deletions in the 5' transcribed noncoding and upstream regions of the HSV-1 glycoprotein C (gC) gene, a model gamma 2 gene. Nine mutant viruses which had variable 5' and 3' deletions within bases -569 to +124 relative to the 5' terminus of the gC mRNA were isolated. The mutants were isolated by a simple in situ hybridization screening procedure not requiring any prior selective pressure for or against expression of the gC gene. Analysis of RNA extracted from cells infected with individual mutants showed that the DNA sequences required for regulated expression of this gamma 2 gene lay within bases -34 to +124. This 158-base-pair fragment was sufficient to confer accurate and quantitative expression of gC mRNA and to maintain the stringent requirement on viral DNA replication for expression of this gene. Moreover, it was found that sequences located between -34 and +14 contained signals essential for expression of gC. To determine whether the -34 to +124 sequences would function as a gamma 2 promoter when moved to another region of the HSV-1 genome, the 158-base-pair fragment was substituted for the normal thymidine kinase promoter-regulatory sequences in the thymidine-kinase gene locus. Transcription of this chimeric gene was regulated as a gamma 2 gene in that its expression in infected cells was dependent on viral DNA synthesis. The only recognizable consensus sequence upstream of the transcription initiation site for this gene was the TATAAA sequence at -30.

Animals↗

Stable induction of a 51K cellular protein in neuronal cells surviving herpes simplex virus type 1 infection.

A series of survivor cell lines derived by infection of B103 rat neuroma cells with active wild-type herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) (M. Levine, A. L. Goldin, and J. C. Glorioso, J. Virol. 35, 203-210 (1980)) has been isolated. The survivor cells produced no infectious virus, yet they continued to react with HSV-1 antiserum for over 100 cell generations following the initial infection. The reactivity of the survivor cells with HSV-1 antiserum is characterized as being due to expression of a 51K protein. The 51K protein reacted with antiserum prepared against HSV-1 virions and was not detectable in the parental B103 cells. A protein of the same molecular weight was seen in productively infected B103 and HEL cells. The protein detected in the survivor cells comigrated with that seen in the infected cells on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, indicating that they represent similar proteins. Despite the presence of the 51K protein reactive with HSV-1 antiserum, the survivor cells contain no detectable HSV-1 DNA sequences. They do contain DNA sequences which cross-hybridize with HSV-1 DNA, but similar cross-hybridizing sequences were also present in the parental B103 cells. No hybridizing polysomal, polyadenylated RNA species were present in the survivor cells that were not present in the parental B103 cells when probed with the cross-hybridizing HSV-1 restriction fragments. Therefore, the 51K protein evidently represents a cellular protein induced by the HSV-1 infection.

Animals↗

Epitopes of herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein gC are clustered in two distinct antigenic sites.

Epitopes of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) strain KOS glycoprotein gC were identified by using a panel of gC-specific, virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies and a series of antigenic variants selected for resistance to neutralization with individual members of the antibody panel. Variants that were resistant to neutralization and expressed an antigenically altered form of gC were designated monoclonal antibody-resistant (mar) mutants. mar mutants were isolated at frequencies of 10(-3) to 10(-5), depending on the antibody used for selection. The epitopes on gC were operationally grouped into antigenic sites by evaluating the patterns of neutralization observed when a panel of 22 antibodies was tested against 22 mar mutants. A minimum of nine epitopes was identified by this process. Three epitopes were assigned to one antigenic site (I), and six were clustered in a second complex site (II) composed of three distinct subsites, IIa, IIb, and IIc. The two antigenic sites were shown to reside in physically distinct domains of the glycoprotein, by radioimmunoprecipitation of truncated forms of gC. These polypeptides lacked portions of the carboxy terminus and ranged in size from approximately one-half that of the wild-type molecule to nearly full size. Antibodies recognizing epitopes in site II immunoprecipitated the entire series of truncated polypeptides and thereby demonstrated that site II resided in the N-terminal half of gC. Antibodies reactive with site I, however, did not immunoprecipitate fragments smaller than at least two-thirds the size of the wild-type polypeptide, suggesting that site I was located in the C-terminal portion. Sites I and II were also shown to be spatially separate on the gC polypeptide by competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with monoclonal antibodies representative of different site I and site II epitopes.

Animals↗

Passive immune protection by herpes simplex virus-specific monoclonal antibodies and monoclonal antibody-resistant mutants altered in pathogenicity.

Virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies specific for 13 different genetically defined epitopes of glycoproteins gC, gB, and gD of herpes simplex virus type 1, strain KOS-321, were compared for their ability to provide passive immunity to DBA-2 mice challenged intracranially. Protection was highly specific, since individual monoclonal antibodies failed to protect against infection with monoclonal antibody-resistant (mar) mutants altered in the single epitope recognized by the injected antibody. The dose-response kinetics of passive immunity paralleled the in vitro neutralization titers for each antibody. No correlation was observed between immune protection and antibody isotype or complement-dependent in vitro neutralization titers. This suggests that virus neutralization was not the protective mechanism. In general, antibodies reactive with epitopes of gC were protective at the lowest antibody doses, antibodies specific for gB were less efficient in providing immunity, and antibodies against gD were the least effective. mar mutants with single epitope changes in gC and multiple epitope changes in gB showed highly reduced pathogenicity, requiring up to 5 X 10(6) PFU to kill 50% of infected animals. These findings indicated that antigenic variation affects virus growth and spread in the central nervous system. Thus, mutations which affect antigenic structure also can alter virus pathogenicity. The alteration of these epitopes does not, however, appreciably reduce the development of resistance to infection. Infection of mice with these mutants or inoculation of mice with UV-inactivated, mutant-infected cells before challenge rendered the animals resistant to infection with wild-type herpes simplex virus type 1.

Animals↗

Transcriptional and genetic analyses of the herpes simplex virus type 1 genome: coordinates 0.29 to 0.45.

We have constructed a map of the genes encoded by a 23,000-nucleotide-pair region of herpes simplex virus type 1. This region, defined by the three adjacent EcoRI fragments N (map coordinates 0.298 to 0.315), F (0.315 to 0.421), and M (0.421 to 0.448), has previously been shown by genetic analysis to contain the genes for thymidine kinase, nucleocapsid protein p40, glycoprotein B, DNA-binding protein, and DNA polymerase. We report the identification and mapping of RNAs defining 13 viral genes encoded by the region 0.298 to 0.448. The transcriptional pattern shows families of overlapping messages, similar to those observed in other regions of the viral genome. We also isolated mutants representing four distinct complementation groups and physically mapped several of the mutations to regions within EcoRI fragment F by marker rescue. Mutations representing complementation groups 1-9 (glycoprotein B), 1-1 (DNA-binding protein), and 1-3 (DNA polymerase) were mapped to coordinates 0.361 to 0.368 to 0.411, and 0.411 to 0.421, respectively. A fourth previously undefined complementation group was mapped to the region between glycoprotein B and DNA-binding protein. Comparing the transcription mapping with marker rescue data suggests that the genes for glycoprotein B, DNA-binding protein, DNA polymerase, and nucleocapsid protein p40 are expressed as 3.3-, 4.2-, 4.3- or 4.2- or both, and 2.4-kilobase mRNAs, respectively.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Biochemical characterization of peptides from herpes simplex virus glycoprotein gC: loss of CNBr fragments from the carboxy terminus of truncated, secreted gC molecules.

A biochemical characterization of peptides from herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein gC was carried out. We utilized simple micromethods, based on immunological isolation of biosynthetically radiolabeled gC, to obtain gC in pure form for biochemical study. CNBr fragments of gC were prepared, isolated, and characterized. These CNBr fragments were resolved into six peaks by chromatography on Sephacryl S-200 in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride. Only three of the CNBr fragments contained carbohydrate side chains, as judged from the incorporation of [14C]glucosamine. Radiochemical microsequence analyses were carried out on the gC molecule and on each of the CNBr fragments of gC. A comparison of this amino acid sequence data with the amino acid sequence predicted from the DNA sequence of the gC gene showed that the first 25 residues of the predicted sequence are not present in the gC molecule isolated from infected cells and allowed alignment of the CNBr fragments in the gC molecule. Glycoprotein gC was also examined from three gC mutants, synLD70, gC-8, and gC-49. These mutants lack an immunoreactive envelope form of gC but produce a secreted, truncated gC gene product. Glycoprotein gC from cells infected with any of these gC- mutants was shown to have lost more than one CNBr fragment present in the wild-type gC molecule. The missing fragments included the one containing the putative transmembrane anchor sequence. Glycoprotein gC from the gC-8 mutant was also shown, by tryptic peptide map analysis, to have lost more than five major arginine-labeled tryptic peptides arginine-labeled tryptic peptides present in the wild-type gC molecule and to have gained a lysine-labeled tryptic peptide not present in wild-type gC.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Human natural killer cell recognition of herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoproteins: specificity analysis with the use of monoclonal antibodies and antigenic variants.

The specificity of human natural killer (NK) cells for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-infected WISH cells was examined by using virus-specific antibodies to block NK killing and by using targets infected with virus variants that express antigenically altered cell surface glycoproteins. Fab fragments of human immunoglobulin (Ig) derived from an HSV-1 seropositive individual blocked NK activity against HSV-1-infected cells, whereas Fab fragments from a seronegative individual had no effect. Fab fragments of monoclonal antibodies specific for different epitopes of the HSV-1 glycoproteins gB and gC blocked NK activity, suggesting that NK cells interact directly with viral glycoproteins. In contrast, a control (HSV-unreactive) monoclonal antibody did not block NK activity. Further evidence that the blocking activity was associated with HSV glycoproteins was obtained by showing that: a) gC-specific antibodies did not decrease NK activity against cells infected with an HSV-1 mutant which does not insert gC into infected cell surface membranes; b) gB-specific antibodies did not reduce NK cytotoxicity against target cells infected with HSV-1 in the presence of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2dG), which prevents cell surface expression of gB; c) HSV-1 glycoprotein-specific antibodies did not alter NK activity against uninfected cells or against K562, an NK-susceptible tumor cell line; and d) a monoclonal antibody reactive with a cell membrane glycolipid markedly reduced NK reactivity against K562 but had little effect on NK reactivity against HSV-1-infected cells, suggesting that NK cells recognize different determinants on the two types of target cells. Analysis of the fine specificity of NK cell recognition of HSV-1 glycoproteins was performed by using target cells infected with antigenic variants of HSV-1 referred to as monoclonal antibody-resistant (mar) mutants. mar mutants are altered in distinct epitopes of gB or gC, resulting in loss of recognition by the selecting virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibody. NK activity was reduced against cells infected with some, but not all, of these variants. Together, these findings demonstrated a positive correlation between expression of HSV-1 glycoproteins gB and gC and susceptibility of HSV-1-infected target cells to NK activity, implicating the viral glycoproteins as cell surface components recognized by NK cells. Moreover, mutations affecting glycoprotein epitopes defined by monoclonal antibodies also influenced the interaction between NK effector cells and HSV-1-infected target cells, suggesting that viral antigenic sites recognized by NK cells overlap with those recognized by anti-HSV-1 antibodies.

Adult↗

Strain differences in the susceptibility and resistance of Pasteurella multocida to phagocytosis and killing by rabbit polymorphonuclear neutrophils.

The interactions of 2 capsular serotype A and 4 serotype D strains of Pasteurella multocida with rabbit polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) were compared in vitro, using a PMN phagocytic and bactericidal assay. Bacteria and rabbit PMN were incubated for 15 minutes. The suspensions were subjected to differential centrifugation and the percentage of phagocytosis (cell association) was determined from the number of viable noncell-associated bacteria. The cell pellets and the associated bacteria were resuspended and PMN bactericidal activity was calculated from the number of remaining viable cell-associated bacteria at 45 and 75 minutes after the start of the assay. Test bacteria were not opsonized or were opsonized with immune serum containing active complement. One type A strain was ingested and killed by PMN in the presence and absence of opsonins. The 5 remaining strains were resistant to PMN killing, but only the type A strain resisted phagocytosis. Resistance of the type A strain was attributed to the hyaluronic acid capsule, since pretreatment of the bacteria with hyaluronidase rendered opsonized bacteria susceptible to ingestion and killing. The pattern of resistance of the 4 type D strains was different from that of the resistant type A strain. Both opsonized and nonopsonized type D bacteria became cell associated, but none were killed by PMN. The mechanism of resistance of these 4 strains to PMN bactericidal activity is currently unknown.

Animals↗

Relationship between expression of herpes simplex virus glycoproteins and susceptibility of target cells to human natural killer activity.

Cells normally insensitive to human natural killer (NK) activity were rendered susceptible by infection with HSV-1. The cytotoxic effector cell was a nonadherent, non-T, non-B lymphocyte. Antibody plus complement treatment, using a monoclonal antibody that recognizes an antigen present on NK cells, removed much of the cytotoxic activity, and a density gradient fraction enriched for NK cells yielded cells of increased virus-specific cytotoxicity. It was concluded that the effector cell active against infected targets possessed characteristics of an NK cell. Blockage of viral protein synthesis during infection inhibited development of increased susceptibility of infected targets to NK activity. When targets were infected with a mutant virus unable to produce viral glycoprotein C (gC), NK activity against these targets was reduced approximately 30% compared with activity against targets infected with wild-type virus. Similarly, activity against targets infected in the presence of 2-deoxyglucose (2dG), which prevents cell surface expression of viral glycoprotein B (gB), was also reduced approximately 30%. An approximately 60% reduction in activity was seen against targets infected with mutant virus in the presence of 2dG; these targets express gD, but neither gB nor gC. When cells expressing various combinations of HSV-1 glycoproteins were used as both labeled targets and cold target competitors, it was found that the susceptibility of a particular target to NK activity was paralleled by its ability to act as a cold target competitor. This indicates that targets with decreased sensitivity to NK cells were less able to bind NK effectors. Further, the amount of interferon produced in co-cultures of NK effectors and infected target cells did not directly correlate with the amount of NK activity generated, and interferon pretreatment of effectors did not decrease virus-specific cytotoxicity. The present results suggest that HSV-1 glycoproteins expressed at the surface of infected targets may act as recognition structures for NK cells.

Adult↗

Physical mapping of the mutation in an antigenic variant of herpes simplex virus type 1 by use of an immunoreactive plaque assay.

Two mutations affecting herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein B were mapped by marker rescue using cloned sequences of wild-type herpes simplex virus type 1 strain KOS DNA. One mutant, tsB5, is a temperature-sensitive mutant which does not express mature, functional glycoprotein B at the nonpermissive temperature. The other mutant, marB1.1, expresses an antigenic variant of glycoprotein B and was selected for resistance to neutralization by a monoclonal antibody. The mutation in tsB5 mapped to a 1.2-kilobase segment of the herpes simplex virus type 1 genome between coordinates 0.361 and 0.368, whereas the mutation in marB1.1 mapped to a 1.6-kilobase segment between coordinates 0.350 and 0.361. An in situ enzyme immunoassay was used to detect plaques of recombinant wild-type virus among the progeny of transfections with mutant marB1.1 DNA and wild-type DNA fragments.

Antigens, Viral↗

Expression of herpes simplex virus beta and gamma genes integrated in mammalian cells and their induction by an alpha gene product.

The proteins of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) form three kinetic groups termed alpha, beta, and gamma, whose synthesis is regulated in a cascade fashion. alpha products are synthesized first during infection, and they are required for synthesis of beta and gamma proteins. To examine the expression of several HSV-1 beta and gamma genes in the absence of alpha functions, we transferred into mammalian cells a plasmid containing a region of the HSV-1 genome that codes for only beta and gamma genes (0.315 to 0.421 map units). We found stable integration of at least one copy of the intact plasmid in each cell line. Four HSV-1 transcripts of the beta and gamma classes were transcribed constitutively in the cells, including the genes for glycoprotein B and DNA-binding protein. No constitutive synthesis of these two proteins could be demonstrated, however. The integrated HSV-1 genes responded to viral regulatory signals in that they could be induced by infection with HSV-1 mutants resulting in a high level of synthesis of both glycoprotein B and DNA-binding protein. The HSV-1 alpha gene product ICP4 was necessary for this induction, and it was found to be most efficient at a low multiplicity of infection. Functional expression of four genes was demonstrated in that the cell lines complemented infecting HSV-1 temperature-sensitive mutants. The same genes were not available for homologous recombination with infecting virus, however, since no recombinant wild-type virus could be detected. These data demonstrate that HSV-1 beta and gamma genes can be transcribed in the absence of alpha functions in mammalian cells, but that they still respond to HSV-1 regulatory signals such as the alpha gene product ICP4.

Animals↗