Name: a primary neuron culture system for the study of herpes simplex virus latency and reactivation
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Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Primary Neuron Culture System for the Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Latency and Reactivation at JoVE.com

We thank the reviewers for their thoughtful suggestions that helped to improve this manuscript. This work was supported by grants to MVC (NS21072, HD23315), ACW (GM61139, S10RR017970) and IM (AI073898, GM056927) from the NIH. MK was supported in part by an NIH training grant (5T32 AI007180).

1. Isolation and Culture of SCG Neurons from Rat Embryos
To provide a useful context for understanding this protocol, and for a comprehensive discussion of earlier literature that established methods of SCG neuron culture, including the basis for SCG in vitro culture, plate-coating substrates, and the components of serum-free media, the reader is referred to references2-4.
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 <li>The use of rats as a source for SCG neurons was conducted in accordance with NIH ...

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	<li>Camarena, V., Kobayashi, M., Kim, J. Y., Roehm, P., Perez, R., Gardner, J., Wilson, A. C., Mohr, I., Chao, M. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nature+and+duration+of+growth+factor+signaling+through+receptor+tyrosine+kinases+regulates+HSV-1+latency+in+neurons.">Nature and duration of growth factor signaling through receptor tyrosine kinases regulates HSV-1 latency in neurons.</a> Cell Host &#38; Microbe. 8, 320-330 (2010).</li><li>Johnson, M. I., Fedoroff, S., Richardson, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Primary+cultures+of+sympathetic+ganglia.">Primary cultures of sympathetic ganglia.</a> Protocols for Neural Cell Culture. , 71-94 (2001).</li><li>Letourneau, P. 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W., Mohr, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Association+of+the+herpes+simplex+virus+type+1+us11+gene+product+with+the+cellular+kinesin+light-chain-related+protein+PAT1+results+in+the+redistribution+of+both+polypeptides.">Association of the herpes simplex virus type 1 us11 gene product with the cellular kinesin light-chain-related protein PAT1 results in the redistribution of both polypeptides.</a> J. Virol. 77, 9192-9203 (2003).</li><li>Blaho, J., Morton, E. R., Yedowitz, J. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Herpes+simplex+virus:+propagation,+quantification+and+storage.">Herpes simplex virus: propagation, quantification and storage.</a> Curr. Protoc. Microbiol. Chapter 14, Unit 14E.1 (2005).</li><li>Van Zeijl, M., Fairhurst, J., Jones, T. R., Vernon, S. 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C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inhibition+of+herpes+simplex+virus+replication+by+WAY-150138:+assembly+of+capsids+depleted+of+the+portal+and+terminase+proteins+involved+in+DNA+encapsidation.">Inhibition of herpes simplex virus replication by WAY-150138: assembly of capsids depleted of the portal and terminase proteins involved in DNA encapsidation.</a> J. Virol. 76, 10084-10088 (2002).</li><li>Pesola, J. M., Zhu, J., Knipe, D. M., Coen, D. 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S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Histone+deacetylase+inhibitors+induce+reactivation+of+herpes+simplex+virus+type+1+in+a+latency-associated+transcript-+independent+manner+in+neuronal+cells.">Histone deacetylase inhibitors induce reactivation of herpes simplex virus type 1 in a latency-associated transcript- independent manner in neuronal cells.</a> J. Neurovirol. 11, 306-317 (2005).</li><li>Terry-Allison, T., Smith, C. A., DeLuca, N. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Relaxed+repression+of+herpes+simplex+virus+type+1+genomes+in+murine+trigenminal+neurons.">Relaxed repression of herpes simplex virus type 1 genomes in murine trigenminal neurons.</a> J. Virol. 71, 12394-12405 (2007).</li><li>Harris, R. A., Preston, C. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Establishment+of+latency+in+vitro+by+the+herpes+virus+type+1+mutant+in1918.">Establishment of latency in vitro by the herpes virus type 1 mutant in1918.</a> J. Gen. Virol. 72, 907-913 (1991).</li><li>Wagner, E. K., Bloom, D. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Experimental+investigation+of+herpes+simplex+virus+latency.">Experimental investigation of herpes simplex virus latency.</a> Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 10, 419-443 (1997).</li><li>Strelow, L. I., Laycock, K. A., Jun, P. Y., Rader, K. A., Brady, R. H., Miller, J. K., Pepose, J. S., Leib, D. 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This primary neuron culture and infection system provides a simple and effective method to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying HSV-1 latency and reactivation. The system faithfully recapitulates the accepted hallmarks of latency defined in both human infections and in live-animal models. When the virus is latent in the SCG cultures, infectious particles and viral lytic gene products cannot be detected. The only viral gene product detected in latently-infected neurons is the non-coding LAT trans...

<table border="1">
<tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Reagent</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalog#</td>
 <td>Comments</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>70&mu;m nylon filter( cell strainer)</td>
 <td>BD Biosciences</td>
 <td>352350</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>1x Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS-/-) </td>
 <td>Invitrogen</td>
 <td>14175</td>
 <td>w/o CaCl2 and MgCl2</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>1x Minimum Essential Media (MEM) </td>
 <td>Invitrogen</td>
 <td>11095-080</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>5-Fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine</td>
 <td>Sigma</td>
 <td>F0503</td>
 <td>prepare 20 mM stock in 1x MEM; store at -20&deg;C</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>96-well flat well bottom TC plates</td>
 <td>Corning</td>
 <td>3599</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Acyclovir </td>
 <td>Calbiochem</td>
 <td>114798 </td>
 <td>prepare 31 mM stock in DMSO; store at -20&deg;C</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Aphidicolin </td>
 <td>Calbiochem</td>
 <td>178273 </td>
 <td>prepare 10 mM stock in DMSO; store at -20&deg;C</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>B-27 Supplement </td>
 <td>Invitrogen</td>
 <td>17504-44</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Collagenase </td>
 <td>Sigma </td>
 <td>C2674</td>
 <td>prepare 10 mg/ml stock in HBSS-/-; store at -20&deg;C</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>D-(+)-Glucose </td>
 <td>Sigma</td>
 <td>G6152</td>
 <td>prepare 40% stock in H2O; filter sterilize &amp; store at 4&deg;C</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>L-Glutamine </td>
 <td>Invitrogen</td>
 <td>25030-081</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Laminin </td>
 <td>Sigma</td>
 <td>L2020</td>
 <td>prepare 1 mg/ml stock in H2O; quick-freeze 20 &mu;l aliquats &amp; store at -80&deg;C; dilute to 2 &mu;g/ml working conc. in sterile H2O</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Leibovit'z L-15 media </td>
 <td>Invitrogen</td>
 <td>11415</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Nerve Growth Factor </td>
 <td>Harlan Laboratories</td>
 <td>BT.5017</td>
 <td>prepare 50 &mu;g/ml stock in HBSS-/-; store at -80&deg;C</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Neurobasal medium </td>
 <td>Invitrogen</td>
 <td>12348</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Phosphonoacetic acid (PAA) </td>
 <td>Sigma</td>
 <td>P6909 </td>
 <td>prepare 75 mg/ml stock in H2O; store at -20&deg;C</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Poly-D-lysine hydrobromide </td>
 <td>Sigma</td>
 <td>P0899 </td>
 <td>prepare 20 mg/ml stock in H2O; store at -20&deg;C</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Rat-tail collagen </td>
 <td>Millipore</td>
 <td>08-115</td>
 <td>Concentration varies with supply lot; store at 4&deg;C and dilute to 0.66 mg/ml working conc. in sterile H2O</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Trichostatin A </td>
 <td>Sigma</td>
 <td>T8552</td>
 <td>prepare 1 mM stock in DMSO; store at -20&deg;C</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Trypsin 2.5% </td>
 <td>Invitrogen</td>
 <td>15090-04</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

a primary neuron culture system for the study of herpes simplex virus latency and reactivation

Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) establishes a life-long latent infection in peripheral neurons. This latent reservoir is the source of recurrent reactivation events that ensure transmission and contribute to clinical disease. Current antivirals do not impact the latent reservoir and there are no vaccines. While the molecular details of lytic replication are well-characterized, mechanisms controlling latency in neurons remain elusive. Our present understanding of latency is derived from in vivo studies using small animal models, which have been indispensable for defining viral gene requirements and the role of immune responses. However, it is impossible to distinguish specific effects on the virus-neuron relationship from more general consequences of infection mediated by immune or non-neuronal support cells in live animals. In addition, animal experimentation is costly, time-consuming, and limited in terms of available options for manipulating host processes. To overcome these limitations, a neuron-only system is desperately needed that reproduces the in vivo characteristics of latency and reactivation but offers the benefits of tissue culture in terms of homogeneity and accessibility.
Here we present an in vitro model utilizing cultured primary sympathetic neurons from rat superior cervical ganglia (SCG) (Figure 1) to study HSV-1 latency and reactivation that fits most if not all of the desired criteria. After eliminating non-neuronal cells, near-homogeneous TrkA+ neuron cultures are infected with HSV-1 in the presence of acyclovir (ACV) to suppress lytic replication. Following ACV removal, non-productive HSV-1 infections that faithfully exhibit accepted hallmarks of latency are efficiently established. Notably, lytic mRNAs, proteins, and infectious virus become undetectable, even in the absence of selection, but latency-associated transcript (LAT) expression persists in neuronal nuclei. Viral genomes are maintained at an average copy number of 25 per neuron and can be induced to productively replicate by interfering with PI3-Kinase / Akt signaling or the simple withdrawal of nerve growth factor1. A recombinant HSV-1 encoding EGFP fused to the viral lytic protein Us11 provides a functional, real-time marker for replication resulting from reactivation that is readily quantified. In addition to chemical treatments, genetic methodologies such as RNA-interference or gene delivery via lentiviral vectors can be successfully applied to the system permitting mechanistic studies that are very difficult, if not impossible, in animals. In summary, the SCG-based HSV-1 latency / reactivation system provides a powerful, necessary tool to unravel the molecular mechanisms controlling HSV1 latency and reactivation in neurons, a long standing puzzle in virology whose solution may offer fresh insights into developing new therapies that target the latent herpesvirus reservoir.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Primary Neuron Culture System for the Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Latency and Reactivation at JoVE.com

A Primary Neuron Culture System for the Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Latency and Reactivation

The protocol describes an efficient and reproducible model system to study herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) latency and reactivation. The assay employs homogenous sympathetic neuron cultures and allows for the molecular dissection of virus-neuron interactions using a variety of tools including RNA interference and expression of recombinant proteins.

Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) establishes a life-long latent infection in peripheral neurons. This latent reservoir is the source of recurrent ...

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Research

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Immunology and Infection

Detection of Infectious Virus from Field-collected Mosquitoes by Vero Cell Culture Assay

Mosquitoes transmit a number of distinct viruses including important human pathogens such as West Nile virus, dengue virus, and chickungunya virus. Many of these viruses have intensified in their endemic ranges and expanded to new territories, necessitating effective surveillance and control programs to respond to these threats. One strategy to monitor virus activity involves collecting large numbers of mosquitoes from endemic sites and testing them for viral infection. In this article, we describe how to handle, process, and screen field-collected mosquitoes for infectious virus by Vero cell culture assay. Mosquitoes are sorted by trap location and species, and grouped into pools containing &le;50 individuals. Pooled specimens are homogenized in buffered saline using a mixer-mill and the aqueous phase is inoculated onto confluent Vero cell cultures (Clone E6). Cell cultures are monitored for cytopathic effect from days 3-7 post-inoculation and any viruses grown in cell culture are identified by the appropriate diagnostic assays. By utilizing this approach, we have isolated 9 different viruses from mosquitoes collected in Connecticut, USA, and among these, 5 are known to cause human disease. Three of these viruses (West Nile virus, Potosi virus, and La Crosse virus) represent new records for North America or the New England region since 1999. The ability to detect a wide diversity of viruses is critical to monitoring both established and newly emerging viruses in the mosquito population.

We describe a method to process and screen field-collected mosquitoes for a diversity of viruses by Vero cell culture assay. By employing this technique, we have detected 9 different viruses from 4 taxonomic families in mosquitoes collected in Connecticut.

Mosquitoes transmit a number of distinct viruses including important human pathogens such as West Nile virus, dengue virus, and chickungunya virus. Many ...

Ex Vivo Infection of Murine Epidermis with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1

To enter its human host, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) must overcome the barrier of mucosal surfaces, skin, or cornea. HSV-1 targets keratinocytes during initial entry and establishes a primary infection in the epithelium, which is followed by latent infection of neurons. After reactivation, viruses can become evident at mucocutaneous sites that appear as skin vesicles or mucosal ulcers. How HSV-1 invades skin or mucosa and reaches its receptors is poorly understood. To investigate the invasion route of HSV-1 into epidermal tissue at the cellular level, we established an ex vivo infection model of murine epidermis, which represents the site of primary and recurrent infection in skin. The assay includes the preparation of murine skin. The epidermis is separated from the dermis by dispase II treatment. After floating the epidermal sheets on virus-containing medium, the tissue is fixed and infection can be visualized at various times postinfection by staining infected cells with an antibody against the HSV-1 immediate early protein ICP0. ICP0-expressing cells can be observed in the basal keratinocyte layer already at 1.5 hr postinfection. With longer infection times, infected cells are detected in suprabasal layers, indicating that infection is not restricted to the basal keratinocytes, but the virus spreads to other layers in the tissue. Using epidermal sheets of various mouse models, the infection protocol allows determining the involvement of cellular components that contribute to HSV-1 invasion into tissue. In addition, the assay is suitable to test inhibitors in tissue that interfere with the initial entry steps, cell-to-cell spread and virus production. Here, we describe the ex vivo infection protocol in detail and present our results using nectin-1- or HVEM-deficient mice.

Ex Vivo Infection of Murine Epidermis with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1

The skin is one target tissue of the human pathogen herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). To explore the invasion route of HSV-1 into tissue, we established an ex vivo infection model of murine epidermal sheets which represent the outermost layer of skin.

To enter its human host, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) must overcome the barrier of mucosal surfaces, skin, or cornea. HSV-1 targets keratinocytes ...

Zika Virus Infectious Cell Culture System and the In Vitro Prophylactic Effect of Interferons

Zika Virus (ZIKV) is an emerging pathogen that is linked to fetal developmental abnormalities such as microcephaly, eye defects, and impaired growth. ZIKV is an RNA virus of the Flaviviridae family. ZIKV is mainly transmitted by mosquitoes, but can also be spread by maternal to fetal vertical transmission as well as sexual contact. To date, there are no reliable treatment or vaccine options available to protect those infected by the virus. The development of a reproducible, effective Zika virus infectious cell culture system is critical for studying the molecular mechanisms of ZIKV replication as well as drug and vaccine development. In this regard, a protocol describing a mammalian cell-based in vitro Zika virus culture system for viral production and growth analysis is reported here. Details on the formation of plaques by Zika virus on a cell monolayer and plaque assay for measuring viral titer are presented. Viral genome replication kinetics and double-stranded RNA genome replicatory intermediates are determined. This culture platform was utilized to screen against a library of a small set of cytokines resulting in the identification of interferon-&#945; (IFN-&#945;), IFN-&#946; and IFN-&#947; as potent inhibitors of Zika viral growth. In summary, an in vitro infectious Zika viral culture system and various virological assays are demonstrated in this study, which has the potential to greatly benefit the research community in elucidating further the mechanisms of viral pathogenesis and the evolution of viral virulence. Antiviral IFN-alpha can further be evaluated as a prophylactic, post-exposure prophylactic, and treatment option for Zika virus infections in high-risk populations, including infected pregnant women.

Zika Virus Infectious Cell Culture System and the In Vitro Prophylactic Effect of Interferons

Zika Virus (ZIKV), an emerging pathogen, is linked to fetal developmental abnormalities and microcephaly. The establishment of an effective infectious cell culture system is crucial for studies of ZIKV replication as well as vaccine and drug development. In this study, various virological assays pertaining to ZIKV are illustrated and discussed.

Zika Virus (ZIKV) is an emerging pathogen that is linked to fetal developmental abnormalities such as microcephaly, eye defects, and impaired growth. ZIKV ...

Development of a Hepatitis B Virus Reporter System to Monitor the Early Stages of the Replication Cycle

Currently, it is possible to construct recombinant forms of various viruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), that carry foreign genes such as a reporter or marker protein in their genomes. These recombinant viruses usually faithfully mimic the life cycle of the original virus in infected cells and exhibit the same host range dependence. The development of a recombinant virus enables the efficient screening of inhibitors and the identification of specific host factors. However, to date the construction of recombinant hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been difficult because of various experimental limitations. The main limitation is the compact genome size of HBV, and a fairly strict genome size that does not exceed 1.3 genome sizes, that must be packaged into virions. Thus, the size of a foreign gene to be inserted should be smaller than 0.4 kb if no deletion of the genome DNA is to be performed. Therefore, to overcome this size limitation, the deletion of some HBV DNA is required. Here, we report the construction of recombinant HBV encoding a reporter gene to monitor the early stage of the HBV replication cycle by replacing part of the HBV core-coding region with the reporter gene by deleting part of the HBV pol coding region. Detection of recombinant HBV infection, monitored by the reporter activity, was highly sensitive and less expensive than detection using the currently available conventional methods to evaluate HBV infection. This system will be useful for a number of applications including high-throughput screening for the identification of anti-HBV inhibitors, host factors and virus-susceptible cells.

Here we describe a newly developed hepatitis B virus (HBV) reporter system to monitor the early stages of the HBV life cycle. This simplified in vitro system will aid in the screening of anti-HBV agents using a high-throughput strategy.

Currently, it is possible to construct recombinant forms of various viruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), ...

Mouse- and Human-derived Primary Gastric Epithelial Monolayer Culture for the Study of Regeneration

In vitro studies of gastric wound repair typically involves the use of gastric cancer cell lines in a scratch-wound assay of cellular proliferation and migration. One critical limitation of such assays, however, is their homogenous assortment of cellular types. Repair is a complex process which demands the interaction of several cell types. Therefore, to study a culture devoid of cellular subtypes, is a concern that must be overcome if we are to understand the repair process. The gastric organoid model may alleviate this issue whereby the heterogeneous collection of cell types closely reflects that of the gastric epithelium or other native tissues in vivo. Demonstrated here is a novel, in vitro scratch-wound assay derived from human or mouse 3-dimensional organoids which can then be transferred to a gastric epithelial monolayer as either intact organoids or as a single cell suspension of dissociated organoids. The goal of the protocol is to establish organoid-derived gastric epithelial monolayers that can be used in a novel scratch-wound assay system to study gastric regeneration.

Here we describe a protocol for establishing and culturing human- and mouse-derived 3-dimensional (3D) gastric organoids, and the method for the transfer of 3D organoids to a 2-dimensional monolayer. The use of the gastric epithelial monolayer as a novel scratch-wound assay for regeneration studies is also described.

In vitro studies of gastric wound repair typically involves the use of gastric cancer cell lines in a scratch-wound assay of cellular proliferation and ...

An Ex Vivo Chicken Primary Bursal-cell Culture Model to Study Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Pathogenesis

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is a birnavirus of economic importance to the poultry industry. The virus infects B cells, causing morbidity, mortality, and immunosuppression in infected birds. In this study, we describe the isolation of chicken primary bursal cells from the bursa of Fabricius, the culture and infection of the cells with IBDV, and the quantification of viral replication. The addition of chicken CD40 ligand significantly increased cell proliferation fourfold over six days of culture and significantly enhanced cell viability. Two strains of IBDV, a cell-culture adapted strain, D78, and a very virulent strain, UK661, replicated well in the ex vivo cell cultures. This model will be of use in determining how cells respond to IBDV infection and will permit a reduction in the number of infected birds used in IBDV pathogenesis studies. The model can also be expanded to include other viruses and could be applied to different species of birds.

An Ex Vivo Chicken Primary Bursal-cell Culture Model to Study Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Pathogenesis

Here we describe the isolation of chicken primary bursal cells from the bursa of Fabricius, the culture and infection of the cells with infectious bursal disease virus, and the quantification of viral replication.

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is a birnavirus of economic importance to the poultry industry. The virus infects B cells, causing morbidity, ...

Temporal Analysis of the Nuclear-to-cytoplasmic Translocation of a Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Protein by Immunofluorescent Confocal Microscopy

Infected cell protein 0 (ICP0) of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is an immediate early protein containing a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase. It is responsible for the proteasomal degradation of host restrictive factors and the subsequent viral gene activation. ICP0 contains a canonical nuclear localization sequence (NLS). It enters the nucleus immediately after de novo synthesis and executes its anti-host defense functions mainly in the nucleus. However, later in infection, ICP0 is found solely in the cytoplasm, suggesting the occurrence of a nuclear-to-cytoplasmic translocation during HSV-1 infection. Presumably ICP0 translocation enables ICP0 to modulate its functions according to its subcellular locations at different infection phases. In order to delineate the biological function and regulatory mechanism of ICP0 nuclear-to-cytoplasmic translocation, we modified an immunofluorescent microscopy method to monitor ICP0 trafficking during HSV-1 infection. This protocol involves immunofluorescent staining, confocal microscope imaging, and nuclear vs. cytoplasmic distribution analysis. The goal of this protocol is to adapt the steady state confocal images taken in a time course into a quantitative documentation of ICP0 movement throughout the lytic infection. We propose that this method can be generalized to quantitatively analyze nuclear vs. cytoplasmic localization of other viral or cellular proteins without involving live imaging technology.

ICP0 undergoes nuclear-to-cytoplasmic translocation during HSV-1 infection. The molecular mechanism of this event is not known. Here we describe the use of confocal microscope as a tool to quantify ICP0 movement in HSV-1 infection, which lays the groundwork for quantitatively analyzing ICP0 translocation in future mechanistic studies.

Infected cell protein 0 (ICP0) of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is an immediate early protein containing a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase. It is ...

In Vitro ELISA Test to Evaluate Rabies Vaccine Potency

The growing global concern for the animal welfare is encouraging manufacturers and the National Control Laboratories (OMCLs) to follow the 3Rs strategy for the Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement of the laboratory animal testing. The development of in vitro approaches is recommended at the WHO and European levels as alternatives to the NIH test for evaluating the rabies vaccine potency. At the surface of the rabies virus (RABV) particle, trimers of glycoprotein constitute the major immunogen to induce Viral Neutralizing Antibodies (VNAbs). An ELISA test, where Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies (mAb-D1) recognize the trimeric form of the glycoprotein, has been developed to determine the contents of the native folded trimeric glycoprotein along with the production of the vaccine batches. This in vitro potency test demonstrated a good concordance with the NIH test and has been found suitable in collaborative trials by RABV vaccine manufacturers and OMCLs. Avoidance of animal use is an achievable objective in the near future.
The method presented is based on an indirect ELISA sandwich immunocapture using the mAb-D1 which recognizes the antigenic sites III (aa 330 to 338) of the trimeric RABV glycoprotein, i.e., the immunogenic RABV antigen. mAb-D1 is used for both coating and detection of glycoprotein trimers present in the vaccine batch. Since the epitope is recognized because of its conformational properties, the potentially denatured glycoprotein (less immunogenic) cannot be captured and detected by the mAb-D1. The vaccine to be tested is incubated in a plate sensitized with the mAb-D1. Bound trimeric RABV glycoproteins are identified by adding the mAb-D1 again, labeled with peroxidase and then revealed in the presence of substrate and chromogen. Comparison of the absorbance measured for the tested vaccine and the reference vaccine allows for the determination of the immunogenic glycoprotein content.

Here we describe an indirect ELISA sandwich immunocapture to determine the immunogenic glycoprotein contents in rabies vaccines. This test uses a neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody (mAb-D1) recognizing glycoprotein trimers. It is an alternative to the in vivo NIH test to follow the consistency of vaccine potency during production.

The growing global concern for the animal welfare is encouraging manufacturers and the National Control Laboratories (OMCLs) to follow the 3Rs strategy ...

Purification of High Yield Extracellular Vesicle Preparations Away from Virus

One of the major hurdles in the field of extracellular vesicle (EV) research today is the ability to achieve purified EV preparations in a viral infection setting. The presented method is meant to isolate EVs away from virions (i.e., HIV-1), allowing for a higher efficiency and yield compared to conventional ultracentrifugation methods. Our protocol contains three steps: EV precipitation, density gradient separation, and particle capture. Downstream assays (i.e., Western blot, and PCR) can be run directly following particle capture. This method is advantageous over other isolation methods (i.e., ultracentrifugation) as it allows for the use of minimal starting volumes. Furthermore, it is more user friendly than alternative EV isolation methods requiring multiple ultracentrifugation steps. However, the presented method is limited in its scope of functional EV assays as it is difficult to elute intact EVs from our particles. Furthermore, this method is tailored towards a strictly research-based setting and would not be commercially viable.

This protocol isolates extracellular vesicles (EVs) away from virions with high efficiency and yield by incorporating EV precipitation, density gradient ultracentrifugation, and particle capture to allow for a streamlined workflow and a reduction of starting volume requirements, resulting in reproducible preparations for use in all EV research.

One of the major hurdles in the field of extracellular vesicle (EV) research today is the ability to achieve purified EV preparations in a viral infection ...

siRNA Electroporation to Modulate Autophagy in Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1-Infected Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells

Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) induces autophagy in both, immature dendritic cells (iDCs) as well as mature dendritic cells (mDCs), whereas autophagic flux is only observed in iDCs. To gain mechanistic insights, we developed efficient strategies to interfere with HSV-1-induced autophagic turnover. An inhibitor-based strategy, to modulate HSV-1-induced autophagy, constitutes the first choice, since it is an easy and fast method. To circumvent potential unspecific off-target effects of such compounds, we developed an alternative siRNA-based strategy, to modulate autophagic turnover in iDCs upon HSV-1 infection. Indeed, electroporation of iDCs with FIP200-specific siRNA prior to HSV-1 infection is a very specific and successful method to ablate FIP200 protein expression and thereby to inhibit autophagic flux. Both presented methods result in the efficient inhibition of HSV-1-induced autophagic turnover in iDCs, whereby the siRNA-based technique is more target specific. An additional siRNA-based approach was developed to selectively silence the protein expression of KIF1B and KIF2A, facilitating autophagic turnover upon HSV-1 infection in mDCs. In conclusion, the technique of siRNA electroporation represents a promising strategy, to selectively ablate the expression of distinct proteins and to analyze their influence upon an HSV-1 infection.

In this study, we present inhibitor- and siRNA-based strategies to interfere with autophagic flux in Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1)-infected monocyte-derived dendritic cells.