Keratinocytes produce IL-17c to protect peripheral nervous systems during human HSV-2 reactivation.

Despite frequent herpes simplex virus (HSV) reactivation, peripheral nerve destruction and sensory anesthesia are rare. We discovered that skin biopsies obtained during asymptomatic human HSV-2 reactivation exhibit a higher density of nerve fibers relative to biopsies during virological and clinical quiescence. We evaluated the effects of HSV infection on keratinocytes, the initial target of HSV replication, to better understand this observation. Keratinocytes produced IL-17c during HSV-2 reactivation, and IL-17RE, an IL-17c-specific receptor, was expressed on nerve fibers in human skin and sensory neurons in dorsal root ganglia. In ex vivo experiments, exogenous human IL-17c provided directional guidance and promoted neurite growth and branching in microfluidic devices. Exogenous murine IL-17c pretreatment reduced apoptosis in HSV-2-infected primary neurons. These results suggest that IL-17c is a neurotrophic cytokine that protects peripheral nerve systems during HSV reactivation. This mechanism could explain the lack of nerve damage from recurrent HSV infection and may provide insight to understanding and treating sensory peripheral neuropathies.

Tin oxide nanowires suppress herpes simplex virus-1 entry and cell-to-cell membrane fusion.

The advent of nanotechnology has ushered in the use of modified nanoparticles as potential antiviral agents against diseases such as herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1) (HSV-2), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), monkeypox virus, and hepatitis B virus. Here we describe the application of tin oxide (SnO(2)) nanowires as an effective treatment against HSV-1 infection. SnO(2) nanowires work as a carrier of negatively charged structures that compete with HSV-1 attachment to cell bound heparan sulfate (HS), therefore inhibiting entry and subsequent cell-to-cell spread. This promising new approach can be developed into a novel form of broad-spectrum antiviral therapy especially since HS has been shown to serve as a cellular co-receptor for a number of other viruses as well, including the respiratory syncytial virus, adeno-associated virus type 2, and human papilloma virus.

Prophylactic, therapeutic and neutralizing effects of zinc oxide tetrapod structures against herpes simplex virus type-2 infection.

The attachment of Herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) to a target cell requires ionic interactions between negatively charged cell surface co-receptor heparan sulfate (HS) and positively charged residues on viral envelop glycoproteins, gB and gC. Effective blocking of this first step of HSV-2 pathogenesis demonstrates significant prophylactic effects against the viral disease; any in vitro therapeutic effects of blocking this interaction, however, are not clear. Here, we provide new evidence that zinc oxide tetrapod micro-nanostructures synthesized by flame transport approach significantly block HSV-2 entry into target cells and, in addition, demonstrate the potential to stop the spread of the virus among already infected cells. The zinc oxide tetrapods (ZnOTs) also exhibit the ability to neutralize HSV-2 virions. Natural target cells such as human vaginal epithelial and HeLa cells showed highly reduced infectivity when infected with HSV-2 virions that were pre-incubated with the ZnOTs. The mechanism behind the ability of ZnOTs to prevent, neutralize or reduce HSV-2 infection relies on their ability to bind the HSV-2 virions. We used fluorescently labeled ZnOTs and GFP-expressing HSV-2 virions to demonstrate the binding of the ZnOTs with HSV-2. We also show that the binding and hence, the antiviral effects of ZnOTs can be enhanced by illuminating the ZnOTs with UV light. Our results provide new insights into the anti-HSV-2 effects of ZnOT and rationalize their development as a HSV-2 trapping agent for the prevention and/or treatment of infection. The observed results also demonstrate that blocking HSV-2 attachment can have prophylactic as well as therapeutic applications.

MyD88-dependent and MyD88-independent pathways in synergy, priming, and tolerance between TLR agonists.

TLRs sense components of microorganisms and are critical host mediators of inflammation during infection. Different TLR agonists can profoundly alter inflammatory effects of one another, and studies suggest that the sequence of exposure to TLR agonists may importantly impact on responses during infection. We tested the hypothesis that synergy, priming, and tolerance between TLR agonists follow a pattern that can be predicted based on differential engagement of the MyD88-dependent (D) and the MyD88-independent (I) intracellular signaling pathways. Inflammatory effects of combinations of D and I pathway agonists were quantified in vivo and in vitro. Experiments used several D-specific agonists, an I-specific agonist (poly(I:C)), and LPS, which acts through both the D and I pathways. D-specific agonists included: peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein, Pam3Cys, flagellin, and CpG DNA, which act through TLR2 (peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein and Pam3Cys), TLR5, and TLR9, respectively. D and I agonists were markedly synergistic in inducing cytokine production in vivo in mice. All of the D-specific agonists were synergistic with poly(I:C) in vitro in inducing TNF and IL-6 production by mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages. Pretreatment of bone marrow-derived macrophages with poly(I:C) led to a primed response to subsequent D-specific agonists and vice versa, as indicated by increased cytokine production, and increased NF-kappaB translocation. Pretreatment with a D-specific agonist augmented LPS-induced IFN-beta production. All D-specific agonists induced tolerance to one another. Thus, under the conditions studied here, simultaneous and sequential activation of both the D and I pathways causes synergy and priming, respectively, and tolerance is induced by agonists that act through the same pathway.

Bacterial peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein: a naturally occurring toll-like receptor 2 agonist that is shed into serum and has synergy with lipopolysaccharide.

Sepsis is initiated by interactions between microbial products and host inflammatory cells. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are central innate immune mediators of sepsis that recognize different components of microorganisms. Peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein (PAL) is a ubiquitous gram-negative bacterial outer-membrane protein that is shed by bacteria into the circulation of septic animals. We explored the inflammatory effects of purified PAL and of a naturally occurring form of PAL that is shed into serum. PAL is released into human serum by Escherichia coli bacteria in a form that induces cytokine production by macrophages and is tightly associated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). PAL activates inflammation through TLR2. PAL and LPS synergistically activate macrophages. These data suggest that PAL may play an important role in the pathogenesis of sepsis and imply that physiologically relevant PAL and LPS are shed into serum and act in concert to initiate inflammation in sepsis.