Gender influences herpes simplex virus type 1 infection in normal and gamma interferon-mutant mice.

Gender influences the incidence and severity of some bacterial and viral infections and autoimmune diseases in animal models and humans. To determine a gender-based difference, comparisons were made between male and female mice inoculated with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) by the corneal route. Mortality was higher in the male mice of the three strains tested: 129/Sv//Ev wild type, gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) knockout (GKO), and IFN-gamma receptor knockout (RGKO).

Gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) receptor null-mutant mice are more susceptible to herpes simplex virus type 1 infection than IFN-gamma ligand null-mutant mice.

Mouse strains with null mutations in the gamma interferon gene (Ifng) or the gamma interferon receptor gene (Ifngr) have been engineered. The use of these strains as animal models of viral and bacterial infections has enhanced our understanding of the role of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) in the host immune response. However, direct comparisons between Ifng-/- (GKO) and Ifngr-/- (RGKO) mice have been problematic because previously available strains of these mice have had different genetic backgrounds (i.

Role for gamma interferon in control of herpes simplex virus type 1 reactivation.

Observation of chronic inflammatory cells and associated high-level gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production in ganglia during herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) latent infection in mice (E. M. Cantin, D.

Genetic and functional complementation of the HSV1 UL27 gene and gB glycoprotein by simian alpha-herpesvirus homologs.

Utilizing co-transfection of DNA from glycoprotein gB- strain of HSV1 and cloned fragments of several simian alpha-herpesviruses containing the UL26, UL27 (gB glycoprotein), and UL28 gene homologs, replication-competent recombinant viruses were produced. Genetic analysis of one HSV1/SA8 recombinant (HSV1/SgB) demonstrated the presence of SA8 DNA comprising the entire UL27 (gB) gene and parts of the UL28 and UL26 ORFs in an otherwise HSV1 genome. The recombinant was shown to express the SA8 gB and p40 proteins (UL27 & UL26.

Direct DNA immunization of mice with plasmid DNA encoding the tegument protein pp65 (ppUL83) of human cytomegalovirus induces high levels of circulating antibody to the encoded protein.

The 65 kDa tegument protein (pp65 or rather ppUL83) of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been shown to be a major cytotoxic T-lymphocyte target during natural infection, and thus appears to be an appropriate candidate to be evaluated as a component of a HCMV polynucleotide vaccine. We have constructed expression vectors pH beta-pp65, in which pp65 expression is under the control of human beta-actin promoter, and pCMVint-pp65, in which pp65 expression is driven by the HCMV immediate-early promoter along with the intron A. These construct DNAs were utilized for the intramuscular injection into the quadriceps of BALB/c mice.