Colony Stimulating Factor-1 Receptor Expressing Cells Infiltrating the Cornea Control Corneal Nerve Degeneration in Response to HSV-1 Infection.

Purpose: Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) is a leading cause of neurotrophic keratitis, characterized by decreased or absent corneal sensation due to damage to the sensory corneal innervation. We previously reported the elicited immune response to infection contributes to the mechanism of corneal nerve regression/damage during acute HSV-1 infection. Our aim is to further establish the involvement of infiltrated macrophages in the mechanism of nerve loss upon infection.

The Neonatal Fc Receptor and Complement Fixation Facilitate Prophylactic Vaccine-Mediated Humoral Protection against Viral Infection in the Ocular Mucosa.

The capacity of licensed vaccines to protect the ocular surface against infection is limited. Common ocular pathogens, such as HSV-1, are increasingly recognized as major contributors to visual morbidity worldwide. Humoral immunity is an essential correlate of protection against HSV-1 pathogenesis and ocular pathology, yet the ability of Ab to protect against HSV-1 is deemed limited due to the slow IgG diffusion rate in the healthy cornea.

Impact of Type I Interferon on the Safety and Immunogenicity of an Experimental Live-Attenuated Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Vaccine in Mice.

Viral fitness dictates virulence and capacity to evade host immune defenses. Understanding the biological underpinnings of such features is essential for rational vaccine development. We have previously shown that the live-attenuated herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) mutant lacking the nuclear localization signal (NLS) on the ICP0 gene (0ΔNLS) is sensitive to inhibition by interferon beta (IFN-β) and functions as a highly efficacious experimental vaccine.

Long-term consequences of topical dexamethasone treatment during acute corneal HSV-1 infection on the immune system.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a leading cause of neurotrophic keratitis (NTK). NTK is characterized by decreased corneal sensation from damage to the corneal sensory fibers. We have reported on the regression of corneal nerves and their function during acute HSV-1 infection.

Cornea lymphatics drive the CD8 T-cell response to herpes simplex virus-1.

Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection of the cornea induces vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A)-dependent lymphangiogenesis. However, the extent to which HSV-1-induced corneal lymphangiogenesis impacts the adaptive immune response has not been characterized. Here, we used floxed VEGF-A mice to study the importance of newly created corneal lymphatic vessels in the host adaptive immune response to infection.

IL-6 Contributes to Corneal Nerve Degeneration after Herpes Simplex Virus Type I Infection.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a leading cause of neurotrophic keratitis characterized by decreased corneal sensation because of damage to the corneal sensory fibers. We and others have reported regression of corneal nerves during acute HSV-1 infection. To determine whether denervation is caused directly by the virus or indirectly by the elicited immune response, mice were infected with HSV-1 and topically treated with dexamethasone (DEX) or control eye drops.

Seasonal shifts in giant panda feeding behavior: relationships to bamboo plant part consumption.

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is classified as a carnivore, yet subsists on a diet comprised almost exclusively of bamboo. Wild and captive giant pandas use highly selective foraging behaviors for processing and consuming bamboo. These behaviors are for the first time quantified in captive giant pandas over a 5-year period of time showing highly specific seasonal trends.