Replication kinetics of neuropathogenic and non-neuropathogenic equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) strains in primary murine neurons and ED cell line

• Published in: Polish journal of veterinary sciences Vol. 19; no. 4; pp. 777 - 784
• Main Authors: Cymerys, J, Słońska, A, Brzezicka, J, Tucholska, A, Chmielewska, A, Rola, J, Malik, P, Bańbura, M W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Polish Academy of Sciences, Committee of Veterinary Sciences 01.12.2016
• Subjects: Animals; Cell Line; Fibroblasts - virology; Herpesvirus 1, Equid - physiology; Horses; Mice; Neurons - virology; Time Factors; Virus Replication - physiology
• ISSN: 1505-1773; 2300-2557
• DOI: 10.1515/pjvs-2016-0098

Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) causes respiratory infections, abortion and neurological disorders in horses. Molecular epidemiology studies have demonstrated that a single-point mutation in DNA polymerase gene, resulting in an amino acid variation (N752/D752), is significantly associated with the neuropathogenic potential of EHV-1 strains. The aim of the study was to elucidate if there are any differences between neuropathogenic (EHV-1 26) and non-neuropathogenic (Jan-E and Rac-H) EHV-1 strains in their ability to infect neuronal cells. For the tested EHV-1 strains, cytopathic effect (CPE) was manifested by changed morphology of cells, destruction of actin cytoskeleton and nuclei degeneration, which led to focal degeneration. Moreover, EHV-1 26 strain caused fusion of the infected cells to form syncytia in culture. Real-time PCR analysis demonstrated that both neuropathogenic and non-neuropathogenic EHV-1 strains replicated in neurons and ED cells (equine dermal cell line) at a similar level. We can assume that a point mutation in the EHV-1 polymerase does not affect viral replication in this cell type.