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Biomedical subjects

J Chou

Publications and source records attributed to J Chou.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Dynamic exercise leads to an increase in circulating ICAM-1: further evidence for adrenergic modulation of cell adhesion.

Acute mental and physical stress lead to a marked lymphocytosis, with circulating natural killer cell numbers showing the most prominent increase. Many studies have linked these acute stress effects on lymphocytes with an increase in catecholamine levels. However, the molecular mechanisms which mediate this redistribution of lymphocytes from lymphocyte reservoirs into the circulation remain unknown. We hypothesized that this form of lymphocytosis was in part due to shedding of cell adhesion molecules from the cell surface and a subsequent detachment of lymphocytes adhering to the vascular endothelium in lymphocyte reservoirs. In this study, healthy human volunteers (n = 12) were exercised on a treadmill until exhaustion. The circulating levels of the soluble cell adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and E-Selectin were determined by ELISA. The subjects were then randomly assigned to treatment with either propranolol or metoprolol and repeated the exercise protocol after 1 week of treatment. Prior to drug treatment, soluble ICAM-1 levels rose from 258 +/- 19 to 321 +/- 28 ng/ml following exercise and returned to approximate baseline levels of 263 +/- 22 ng/ml after 1 h of rest. This highly significant effect of exercise on circulating ICAM-1 levels (p < .005) was mitigated after treatment with the beta-adrenergic antagonists. Soluble E-Selectin levels were not significantly affected by exercise. These results suggest that dynamic exercise leads to shedding of the cell adhesion molecule ICAM-1 via adrenergic mechanisms. We believe that these findings will contribute to the understanding of how physical and mental stress modulate lymphocyte migration and adhesion.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Suppression of the phenotype of gamma(1)34.5- herpes simplex virus 1: failure of activated RNA-dependent protein kinase to shut off protein synthesis is associated with a deletion in the domain of the alpha47 gene.

Earlier studies have shown that infection of human cells by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) results in the activation of RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) but that the alpha subunit of eIF-2 is not phosphorylated and that protein synthesis is unaffected. In the absence of the viral gamma(1)34.5 gene, eIF-2alpha is phosphorylated and protein synthesis is prematurely shut off (J. Chou, J. J. Chen, M. Gross, and B. Roizman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:10516-10520, 1995). A second recent paper reported the selection of second-site suppressor mutants characterized by near-wild-type protein synthesis in cells infected with gamma(1)34.5- mutants (I. Mohr and Y. Gluzman, EMBO J. 15:4759-4766, 1996). Here, we report the properties of the spontaneous HSV-1 suppressor mutant Sup-1, which is characterized by spontaneous deletion of 503 bp encompassing the domain of the alpha47 gene and junction with the inverted repeats flanking the unique short (U(S)) sequence of the HSV-1 DNA resulting in the juxtaposition of the alpha47 promoter to the coding domain of the U(S)11 gene. This mutant does not exhibit the shutoff of protein synthesis characteristic of the gamma(1)34.5- virus. Specifically, Sup-1 in SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells (i) did not exhibit the function of the alpha47 gene characterized by a reduction in the transport of peptides across the endoplasmic reticulum of permealized cells consistent with the absence of alpha47 gene sequences, (ii) accumulated U(S)11 protein at levels analogous to those of the wild-type parent but the protein was made at earlier times after infection, as would be expected from a change in the promoter, and (iii) activated PKR like that of the parent, gamma(1)34.5- virus, but (iv) did not cause premature shutoff of protein synthesis and therefore was similar to the wild-type parent virus rather than the gamma(1)34.5- virus from which it was derived. We conclude that the mechanism by which Sup-1 blocks the shutoff of protein synthesis associated with phosphorylation of eIF-2alpha by the activated PKR is not readily explainable by a secondary mutation characterized by a deletion.

Animals↗

[Study of interaction between cytochrome C and cystine using synchronours fluorescence spectroscopy].

The interaction of cytochrome C with cystine as promoter was studied by synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy. After cystine was added into cytochrome C solution, the synchronous flurorescence spectra of tyrosine and tryptophan residues in cytochrome C were monitered with time. The results indicated that the lysine residues in cytochrome C molecules combine with cystine slowly. It induced the small conformational change of cytochrome C molecules.

Animals↗

Pharmacokinetic modeling and absorbed dose estimation for chimeric anti-CEA antibody in humans.

UNLABELLED: The objective of this article was to model pharmacokinetic data from clinical diagnostic studies involving the 111In-labeled monoclonal antibody (MAb) chimeric T84.66, against carcinoembryonic antigen. Model-derived results based on the 111In-MAb blood, urine and digital imaging data were used to predict 90Y-MAb absorbed radiation doses and to guide treatment planning for future therapy trials. Fifteen patients with at least one carcinoembryonic antigen-positive lesion were evaluated. We report the kinetic parameter estimates and absorbed 111In-MAb dose and projected 90Y-MAb doses for each patient as well as describe our approach and rationale for modeling an extensive set of pharmacokinetic data. METHODS: The ADAPT II software package was used to create three- and five-compartment models of uptake against time in the patient population. The "best-fit" model was identified using ordinary least squares. Areas under the curve were calculated using the modeled curves and input into MIRDOSE3 to estimate absorbed radiation doses for each patient. RESULTS: A five-compartment model best described the liver, whole body, blood and urine data for a subcohort of nine patients with digital imaging data. A three-compartment model best described the blood and urine data for all 15 clinical patients accrued in the clinical trial. For the subcohort, the largest projected 90Y-MAb doses were delivered to the liver (mean, 24.78 rad/mCi; range, 15.02-37.07 rad/mCi), with red marrow estimates on the order of 3.32 rad/mCi (range, 1.24-5.55) of 90Y. Corresponding estimates for the 111In-MAb were 3.18 (range, 2.09-4.43) and 0.55 (range, 0.34-0.74), respectively. CONCLUSION: The three- and five-compartment models presented here were successfully used to represent the blood, urine and imaging data. This was evidenced by the small standard errors for the kinetic parameter estimates and R2 values close to 1. As planned future therapeutic trials will involve stem cell support to alleviate hematological toxicities, the development of an approach for estimating doses to other major organs is crucial.

Adult↗

The application of genetically engineered herpes simplex viruses to the treatment of experimental brain tumors.

Due to lack of effective therapy, primary brain tumors are the focus of intense investigation of novel experimental approaches that use vectors and recombinant viruses. Therapeutic approaches have been both indirect, whereby vectors are used, or direct to allow for direct cell killing by the introduced virus. Genetically engineered herpes simplex viruses are currently being evaluated as an experimental approach to eradicate malignant human gliomas. Initial studies with gamma (1)34.5 mutants, R3616 (from which both copies of the gamma (1)34.5 gene have been deleted) and R4009 (a construct with two stop codons inserted into the gamma (1)34.5 gene), have been assessed. In a syngeneic scid mouse intracranial tumor model, recombinant herpes simplex virus can be experimentally used for the treatment of brain tumors. These viruses and additional engineered viruses were subsequently tested in human glioma cells both in vitro and in vivo. Using a xenogeneic scid mouse intracranial glioma model, R4009 therapy of established tumors significantly prolonged survival. Most importantly, long-term survival was achieved, with histologic evidence that R4009 eradicated intracranial tumors in this model. Furthermore, the opportunity to evaluate gamma (1)34.5 mutants that have enhanced oncolytic activity, e.g., R8309 where the carboxyl terminus of the gamma (1)34.5 gene has been replaced by the murine homologue, MyD116, are considered.

Adenoviridae↗

Identification of a new isoform of cell-cell adhesion molecule 105 (C-CAM), C-CAM4: a secretory protein with only one Ig domain.

A series of Southern blot hybridization experiments using probes derived from different regions of the rat liver cell-cell adhesion molecule 105 (C-CAM) cDNA revealed the presence of a 9.6 kb EcoRI genomic fragment that seemed to encode a unique C-CAM isoform. An RNase protection study showed that this c-CAM transcript was expressed in placenta, spleen, lung and large intestine. In contrast, the other C-CAM isoforms, C-CAM1 and C-CAM2, are expressed in liver and small intestine. This result also suggests that the new isoform, which we named C-CAM4, was indeed encoded by a new C-CAM gene. A rat placenta cDNA library was then screened and the full-length cDNA coding for C-CAM4 was isolated. The deduced protein contained 142 amino acids and had a calculated molecular mass of 15 kDa. C-CAM4 was composed of a leader sequence and the first V-like Ig domain typical of C-CAM-family proteins. However, C-CAM4 lacked the C-like Ig domains, the transmembrane domain, and the cytoplasmic domain found in other C-CAM isoforms. Thus, C-CAM4 is different from the other known C-CAMs in that it is a secreted protein. We have previously shown that the first Ig domain of C-CAM1 is crucial for its adhesion function. The V-like Ig domain of C-CAM4 had 92% and 89% sequence identity with the corresponding regions of C-CAM1 and C-cam2 respectively. Together these results suggest that C-CAM4 may play a role in regulating the function of other C-CAM family proteins.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

The carboxyl terminus of the murine MyD116 gene substitutes for the corresponding domain of the gamma(1)34.5 gene of herpes simplex virus to preclude the premature shutoff of total protein synthesis in infected human cells.

The herpes simplex virus 1 mutants from which both copies of the gamma(1)34.5 gene had been deleted trigger total shutoff of protein synthesis in human neuroblastoma cells and human foreskin fibroblasts but not in African green monkey (Vero) cells. The carboxyl-terminal 64 amino acids of gamma(1)34.5 are homologous to the corresponding domain of MyD116, a murine myeloid differentiation primary responsive gene. The carboxyl-terminal domain of gamma(1)34.5 is required to preclude the shutoff of protein synthesis (J. Chou and B. Roizman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:5247-5251, 1994). We report that in-frame substitution of the carboxyl terminus of gamma(1)34.5 with the corresponding domain of MyD116 in the context of the viral genome restored the ability of gamma(1)34.5 to preclude premature shutoff of protein synthesis in both neuroblastoma cells and in human foreskin fibroblasts. The results suggest that (i) in the course of its evolution, the virus "borrowed" a gene fragment to preclude a cell response to infection and (ii) the carboxyl terminus of MyD116 and its family of genes known as GADD34 may have a similar function(s) in cells stressed by growth arrest, DNA damage, and differentiation and in herpes simplex virus infection.

Animals↗

Association of a M(r) 90,000 phosphoprotein with protein kinase PKR in cells exhibiting enhanced phosphorylation of translation initiation factor eIF-2 alpha and premature shutoff of protein synthesis after infection with gamma 134.5- mutants of herpes simplex virus 1.

The protein encoded by the gamma 134.5 gene of herpes simplex virus precludes premature shutoff of protein synthesis in human cells triggered by stress associated with onset of viral DNA synthesis. The carboxyl terminus of the protein is essential for this function. This report indicates that the shutoff of protein synthesis is not due to mRNA degration because mRNA from wild-type or gamma 134.5- virus-infected cells directs protein synthesis. Analyses of the posttranslational modifications of translation initiation factor eIF-2 showed the following: (i) eIF-2 alpha was selectively phosphorylated by a kinase present in ribosome-enriched fraction of cells infected with gamma 134.5- virus. (ii) Endogenous eIF-2 alpha was totally phosphorylated in cells infected with gamma 134.5- virus or a virus lacking the 3' coding domain of the gamma 134.5 gene but was not phosphorylated in mock-infected or wild-type virus-infected cells. (iii) Immune precipitates of the PKR kinase that is responsible for regulation of protein synthesis of some cells by phosphorylation of eIF-2 alpha yielded several phosphorylated polypeptides. Of particular significance were two observations. First, phosphorylation of PKR kinase was elevated in all infected cells relative to the levels in mock-infected cells. Second, the precipitates from lysates of cells infected with gamma 134.5- virus or a virus lacking the 3' coding domain of the gamma 134.5 gene contained an additional labeled phosphoprotein of M(r) 90,000 (p90). This phosphoprotein was present in only trace amounts in the immunoprecipitate from cells infected with wild-type virus or mutants lacking a portion of the 5' domain of gamma 134.5. We conclude that in the absence of gamma 134.5 protein, PKR kinase complexes with the p90 phosphoprotein and shuts off protein synthesis by phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of translation initiation factor eIF-2.

Animals↗

Comparison of genetically engineered herpes simplex viruses for the treatment of brain tumors in a scid mouse model of human malignant glioma.

Genetically engineered viruses and viral genes inserted into retroviral vectors are increasingly being considered for experimental therapy of brain tumors. A primary target of these viruses and vectors is human gliomas, the most frequently occurring primary human brain tumor. To investigate the potential of genetically engineered herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) in the therapy of these tumors, we compared the attributes of two viruses, a recombinant from which the gamma 1(34.5) gene had been deleted (R3616) and a recombinant in which the gamma 1(34.5) gene had been interrupted by a stop codon (R4009). Previous studies have shown that these recombinants were completely devoid of the ability to multiply in the central nervous system of rodents. To pursue these studies, we developed a scid mouse glioma model. Tumor cell response (survival) for 10(3), 10(4), and 10(5) implanted MT539MG glioma cells was 38, 23, and 15 days, respectively. The results were as follows: (i) both R3616 and R4009 replicate and cause cytolysis in diverse glioma cell lines of murine and human origin in vitro, and (ii) Winn-type assays 10(5) MT539MG cells coinoculated with R3616 or R4009 as compared to saline significantly prolonged survival in a dose-dependent fashion. Mice that received only tumor cells or the wild-type parent strain of the recombinants, HSV-1(F), died within 15 days. Survival was greatest with R4009. These experiments define both a model for screening oncolytic viruses and a genetically engineered virus of significant potential use as an oncolytic agent.

Animals↗

A new neurohypophysial peptide, seritocin ([Ser5,Ile8]-oxytocin), identified in a dryness-resistant African toad, Bufo regularis.

From the pituitary neurointermediate lobe of the African toad Bufo regularis, vasotocin, hydrin 2 (vasotocinyl-Gly) and a mesotocin-like peptide have been isolated by HPLC and characterized by mass spectrometry, amino acid sequence and chromatographic coelution with synthetic peptides. The mesotocin-like peptide has been identified as [Ser5,Ile8]-oxytocin in place of mesotocin ([Ile8]-oxytocin) found in all other amphibians investigated to date. The name seritocin is suggested. The molecule is virtually devoid of oxytocic activity on rat uterus in contrast to mesotocin. On the other hand, the molar ratio of hydrin 2 to vasotocin in the pituitary reaches 2, whereas it is about 1 in toads and frogs from temperate regions. B. regularis is an anuran species able to withstand a hot and dry season by burrowing. The possible relationship between occurrence of seritocin and adaptation to arid environment remains to be demonstrated.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of topically applied anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies on orthotopic corneal allografts in a rat model.

PURPOSE: Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) have generated interest as therapeutic agents. Limited data are available on the treatment of corneal graft rejection. The purpose of this study was to assess the use of topically applied mAb on experimental corneal grafts. METHODS: W 3/25, an IgG 1 mouse antirat mAb that recognizes a CD4+ cell subset, was used to treat Lewis recipient rats that received orthotopic corneal grafts of Wistar-Furth donors. Recipients were randomly assigned to receive topically applied drops of liposome-incorporated anti-CD4 mAb (LIP-anti-CD4 mAb), an equivalent amount of free anti-CD4 mAb, an isotype-matched control mAb encapsulated in liposomes (LIP-control mAb), or empty liposomes (emp-LIP) 5 times daily for 10 days. To investigate the immunologic effect of mAb treatment, flow cytometry of the targeted cells and cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes were analyzed. RESULTS: Application of LIP-anti-CD4 mAb was effective in reducing the rejection rate (P < .05) and in prolonging the mean survival time of corneal grafts that underwent rejection (P < .05). In contrast, no significant effect on graft outcome was observed after the application of control agents. Flow cytometry analysis did not reveal systemic depletion of the targeted lymphocyte subset in any anti-CD4 mAb treated animals. Rejected grafts elicited a cellular cytotoxic immune response in a cell-mediated lymphocytotoxic assay independent of the treatment given. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that treatment with topically applied LIP-anti-CD4 mAb prolongs graft survival in orthotopic corneal grafts in a rat model. The beneficial effect of LIP-anti-CD4 mAb, probably due to enhanced intraocular delivery, was achieved by using relatively low doses of mAb.

Administration, Topical↗

Herpes simplex virus 1 gamma(1)34.5 gene function, which blocks the host response to infection, maps in the homologous domain of the genes expressed during growth arrest and DNA damage.

The gamma(1)34.5 gene of herpes simplex virus is dispensable in some cell lines (e.g., Vero). In others (e.g., human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-SH), the gamma(1)34.5- deletion mutant triggers a premature total shutoff of all protein synthesis, thereby rendering the cell nonviable and reducing drastically viral yields. The inability to prevent the cellular stress response that causes the infected cell to die may be responsible for the inability of the deletion mutant to multiply and cause pathology in the central nervous system of mice. The gamma(1)34.5 gene consists of an amino-terminal domain, a variable linker sequence consisting of 3 amino acids repeated 5-10 times, and a carboxyl-terminal domain homologous to the corresponding domain of MyD116, a gene expressed in myeloid leukemia cells induced to differentiate by interleukin 6, and growth arrest and DNA damage gene 34 (GADD34), a gene induced by growth arrest and DNA damage. We have constructed several viral mutants from which various domains of the gamma(1)34.5 gene had been deleted or rendered mute by the insertion of a stop codon. Studies on those mutants show that the domain of the gamma(1)34.5 gene necessary to preclude the total shutoff of protein synthesis corresponds to the carboxyl-terminal domain of the gamma(1)34.5 gene homologous to the corresponding coding domain of the MyD116 and GADD34 genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Two missense mutations causing tyrosinemia type 1 with presence and absence of immunoreactive fumarylacetoacetase.

Hereditary tyrosinemia type 1, due to a deficiency of fumarylacetoacetase (FAH), is characterized by progressive liver damage and renal tubular dysfunction and may occur in an acute or a chronic form. An Ala 134 to Asp (GCT to GAT) transition was found in one Turkish and two Norwegian patients with chronic tyrosinemia. SphI digestion of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified genomic DNA identified the mutation and showed that the patients were heterozygous. All these patients had immunoreactive FAH protein in fibroblasts. Another Norwegian patient with chronic disease, without FAH immunoreactive material in fibroblasts, had a Pro 342 to Leu mutation (CCG to CTG). This mutation was identified by MspI digestion of PCR amplified genomic DNA, and the patient was heterozygous. Northern blotting showed FAH mRNA of normal size and amounts in all patients. Site directed mutagenesis and translation in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate demonstrated that both mutations abolished FAH activity.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗

Differential response of human cells to deletions and stop codons in the gamma(1)34.5 gene of herpes simplex virus.

Earlier studies have shown that herpes simplex virus mutants lacking the gamma(1)34.5 gene are totally avirulent on intracerebral inoculation of the virus into mice and induce premature shutoff of protein synthesis in human neuroblastoma (SK-N-SH) cells but not in Vero cells. We report the following. (i) Whereas deletion mutant R3616, lacking 1,000 bp of the gamma(1)34.5 gene, caused premature shutoff of protein synthesis in both SK-N-SH and human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF), mutants R4009 and R930 (mutant F), carrying stop codons in all six frames, 27 and 210 codons from the initiation codon of the gamma(1)34.5 genes, respectively, induced shutoff of protein synthesis in SK-N-SH cells but not in HFF. The differences in behavior between the R3616 deletion and R4009 stop codon mutants cannot be attributed to differences in the rate of induction of premature shutoff of protein synthesis and the multiplicity of infection. HFF do not produce detectable truncated gamma(1)34.5 protein or truncated mRNA. (ii) Some clonal lines of SK-N-SH cells carrying a gamma(1)34.5 gene driven by a metallothionein promoter express the gamma(1)34.5 gene constitutively and do not require induction by cadmium to complement the gamma(1)34.5- virus. One clonal cell line complements the gamma(1)34.5- virus only after induction by cadmium. These results are consistent with previous conclusions that the phenotype of premature shutoff of protein synthesis is associated with absence of the gamma(1)34.5 protein and indicate that the amounts of gamma(1)34.5 protein necessary to complement the gamma(1)34.5- viruses are small. We conclude that human cells differ in the manner in which they respond to the presence of stop codons. Shutoff of protein synthesis in HFF infected with the stop codon mutants could have been precluded by small amounts of gamma(1)34.5 protein produced by splicing out of an intron containing the stop codon, downstream initiation of translation, or tRNA suppression of the stop codon.

Animals↗

Effect of growth hormone on hepatic glucose and insulin metabolism after oral glucose in conscious dogs.

This study examined the effect of growth hormone (GH) on hepatic glucose metabolism and on the fractional extraction of insulin and glucagon after oral glucose administration. GH treatment [canine GH (0.75 mg/day for 7 days)] significantly increased basal portal vein and hepatic artery flow (P < 0.01 compared with pre-GH treatment). After GH treatment and after oral glucose, glucose levels significantly exceeded those before GH at 100 and 120 min in arterial and portal vein plasma and 120 min in the hepatic vein. The net hepatic uptake of glucose was similar before and after GH treatment. The increment of net nonhepatic splanchnic insulin balance above basal was 131 +/- 31 mU.kg-1.3 h-1 before and 272 +/- 46 mU.kg-1.3 h-1 after GH treatment (P < 0.05). An increase in fractional hepatic extraction of insulin occurred before GH treatment and was significantly greater at 60 min. In summary, despite the increased insulin content after GH administration, there was no change in hepatic uptake of glucose, indicating that the liver was also the site of insulin resistance.

Administration, Oral↗

Depressed skull fractures in children secondary to skull clamp fixation devices.

The use of external skull fixation devices (skull clamps) is a common practice in neurosurgery. The insertion of pins into the skull is usually routine and uneventful in adult patients. However, the safety of skull clamp fixation devices in children is not reported. We have examined our complications over the past 6 years, and have encountered 5 children with depressed skull fractures secondary to application of a skull clamp fixation device. There were 3 boys and 2 girls with ages ranging from 3 to 8 years (mean 5.8 years). Two patients had brainstem gliomas, 2 patients had hypothalamic gliomas and 1 patient had a medulloblastoma. Four of the children required separate cranial procedures for exploration and elevation of the depressed fractures. There were no sequelae associated with the depressed fractures. We conclude that skull clamp fixation devices are safe, but should be used with caution in the pediatric patient. In addition, we present several modifications of existing skull clamps which may decrease the risk of depressed skull fractures.

Brain↗

Ocular absorption of cyclosporine A from liposomes incorporated into collagen shields.

We investigated the ability of liposomes to deliver the immunosuppressive agent cyclosporine A (CsA) to the cornea, anterior sclera, aqueous humor, and vitreous in rabbit eyes. One drop (10 microliters) of liposome-encapsulated CsA (CsA-LIP) or olive oil drops containing an equivalent concentration of CsA (CsA-DR) were administered at 15-minute intervals within the first hour and then one hourly over a 6-hour period. In addition, collagen shields soaked for 30 minutes in the liposome preparation (CsA-LIP-CS) were tested in vitro and in vivo as a new drug delivery approach. CsA levels were measured by fluorescence-immunoassay after 1, 3, or 6 hours of drug administration. CsA levels in this study were highest in cornea and anterior sclera. In animals receiving either CsA-DR or CsA-LIP, CsA levels generally increased from 1 to 6 hours. In animals receiving a single application of CsA-CS-LIP, CsA levels peaked at 3 hours and declined at 6 hours in cornea and sclera. CsA-LIP and CsA-CS-LIP delivered significantly higher levels of CsA to the cornea and sclera at 1 and 3 hours than CsA-DR. In aqueous and vitreous humor, CsA levels increased from 1 to 6 hours in animals receiving either CsA-DR or CsA-LIP. On the other hand, animals receiving a single application of CsA-CS-LIP had lower levels of CsA at 6 hours than at the earlier time points. Animals receiving CsA-LIP or CsA-CS-LIP had significantly higher levels of CsA in aqueous and vitreous humor at 1, 3, and 6 hours than animals receiving CsA-DR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Absorption↗

Replication, establishment of latency, and induced reactivation of herpes simplex virus gamma 1 34.5 deletion mutants in rodent models.

Previous studies have shown that a gene mapping in the inverted repeats of the L component of herpes simplex virus, type 1 DNA, designated as gamma (1) 34.5, was dispensable for growth in cells in culture but that the deletion mutant (R3616) and a mutant containing a stop codon (R4009) in each copy of the gene were incapable of replicating in the central nervous systems (CNS) of mice. Restoration of the deleted sequences restored the wild type virus phenotype. We report here that the gamma (1) 34.5 mutant viruses (R3616 and R4009) replicated in the vaginal tract of two different strains of mice and guinea pig, although both viruses were shed at lower titer and for fewer days than the wild type and restored viruses. Both R3616 and R4009 failed to replicate or cause significant pathology in the cornea of Balb/C mice or following intranasal inoculation of Swiss Webster mice. Analyses of sensory trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia innervating the site of inoculation indicated that the incidence of establishment of latency or reactivation from latency by R3616 and R4009 viruses was significantly lower than that determined for mice infected with wild type or restored virus. Thus, selective deletion of gamma (1) 34.5 gene abolished the capacity of the virus to spread from peripheral mucosal sites to the CNS or replicate in the CNS, and diminished the capacity of the virus to replicate at mucosal sites and, subsequently, establish latency, or be able to be reactivated ex vivo. The results of our studies may have direct implications for the development of genetically engineered herpes simplex virus vaccines.

Animals↗