Expression characteristics of signaling molecules associated with innate immune response induced by HSV1 and HSV2 in respiratory and vaginal epithelial cells

Abstract

Objective To investigate the influences of herpes simplex virus 1 and 2(HSV1 and HSV2) infection on the expression of signaling molecules associated with innate immune response in respiratory and vaginal epithelial cells for bettering understanding of HSV infection and pathological characteristics in the primary infection site, namely mucosal epithelial tissues. Methods KMB17 and VK2 cells were infected with HSV. Changes in cell morphology and inner structure after HSV infection were observed under optical microscope and scanning electron microscope, respectively. Viral proliferation in KMB17 and VK2 cells was detected by plaque assay, microcytopathic assay and real-time quantitative PCR. Expression of signaling molecules associated with innate immune response in virus-infected KMB17 and VK2 cells were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR. Results Both HSV1 and HSV2 could infect KMB17 and VK2 cells, and cause damage to cell morphology and inner structure after 12 hours. Both of the two viruses formed similar plaque on the single layer of KMB17 and VK2 cells, although HSV2 proliferated slower than HSV1. There were differences in the expression of signaling molecules associated with innate immune response induced by the two viruses in KMB17 and VK2 cells. Conclusion Both HSV1 and HSV2 could infect and proliferate in epithelial cells (KMB17 and VK2 cells). Although there were slight differences in viral proliferation between them, significant differences in the expression of signaling molecules associated with innate immune response induced by the two viruses were observed. Key words: Human herpes simplex virus; Epithelial cell; Signaling molecules associated with innate immune response