ABSTRACT
Genital herpes is characterized by recurrent episodes of epithelial blistering. The mechanisms causing this pathology are ill defined. Using a mouse model of vaginal herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) infection, we show that interleukin-18 (IL-18) acts upon natural killer (NK) cells to promote accumulation of the serine protease granzyme B in the vagina, coinciding with vaginal epithelial ulceration. Genetic loss of granzyme B or therapeutic inhibition by a specific protease inhibitor reduces disease and restores epithelial integrity without altering viral control. Distinct effects of granzyme B and perforin deficiency on pathology indicates that granzyme B acts independent of its classic cytotoxic role. IL-18 and granzyme B are markedly elevated in human herpetic ulcers compared with non-herpetic ulcers, suggesting engagement of these pathways in HSV-infected patients. Our study reveals a role for granzyme B in destructing mucosal epithelium during HSV-2 infection, identifying a therapeutic target to augment treatment of genital herpes.
Subject(s)
Herpes Genitalis , Herpes Simplex , Female , Humans , Granzymes/metabolism , Herpesvirus 2, Human/metabolism , Interleukin-18 , Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism , Ulcer , VaginaABSTRACT
Herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) and HSV-1 both can cause genital herpes, a chronic infection that establishes a latent reservoir in the nervous system. Clinically, the recurrence frequency of HSV-1 genital herpes is considerably less than HSV-2 genital herpes, which correlates with reduced neuronal infection. The factors dictating the disparate outcomes of HSV-1 and HSV-2 genital herpes are unclear. In this study, we show that vaginal infection of mice with HSV-1 leads to the rapid appearance of mature DCs in the draining lymph node, which is dependent on an early burst of NK cell-mediated IFN-γ production in the vagina that occurs after HSV-1 infection but not HSV-2 infection. Rapid DC maturation after HSV-1 infection, but not HSV-2 infection, correlates with the accelerated generation of a neuroprotective T cell response and early accumulation of IFN-γ-producing T cells at the site of infection. Depletion of T cells or loss of IFN-γ receptor (IFN-γR) expression in sensory neurons both lead to a marked loss of neuroprotection only during HSV-1, recapitulating a prominent feature of HSV-2 infection. Our experiments reveal key differences in host control of neuronal HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection after genital exposure of mice, and they define parameters of a successful immune response against genital herpes.
Subject(s)
Herpes Simplex/immunology , Nervous System Diseases/immunology , Nervous System Diseases/virology , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Animals , Cell Differentiation , Female , Herpes Simplex/metabolism , Herpes Simplex/virology , Herpesvirus 1, Human/pathogenicity , Herpesvirus 2, Human/pathogenicity , Host-Pathogen Interactions , Interferon-gamma/biosynthesis , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BLABSTRACT
An approach to the synthesis of sulfonamides from sulfamoyl inner salts and organometallic species is presented. A range of sulfamoyl carbamates, amines, and metals are explored. Primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl-, aryl-, and heteroaryllitihium and magnesium nucleophiles were successful. This approach yields bench-stable intermediates and avoids many of the functional group incompatibilities, regioselectivity issues, and high-energy reagents generally associated with the synthesis of sulfonamides. Additionally, the products may be purified by basic extraction or salt formation, avoiding chromatography.