Herpes simplex virus 2 modulates apoptosis and stimulates NF-kappaB nuclear translocation during infection in human epithelial HEp-2 cells

• Published in: Virology (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 342; no. 2; pp. 297 - 310
• Main Authors: Yedowitz, Jamie C, Blaho, John A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 25.11.2005
• Subjects: Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; Apoptosis; Cell Nucleus - metabolism; Cycloheximide - pharmacology; Epithelial Cells - metabolism; Epithelial Cells - physiology; Epithelial Cells - virology; Herpes Simplex - virology; Herpesvirus 2, Human - physiology; Humans; NF-kappa B - metabolism; Protein Synthesis Inhibitors - pharmacology; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0042-6822

Virus-mediated apoptosis is well documented in various systems, including herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). HSV-2 is closely related to HSV-1 but its apoptotic potential during infection has not been extensively scrutinized. We report that (i) HEp-2 cells infected with HSV-2(G) triggered apoptosis, assessed by apoptotic cellular morphologies, oligosomal DNA laddering, chromatin condensation, and death factor processing when a translational inhibitor (CHX) was added at 3 hpi. Thus, HSV-2 induced apoptosis but was unable to prevent the process from killing cells. (ii) Results from a time course of CHX addition experiment indicated that infected cell protein produced between 3 and 5 hpi, termed the apoptosis prevention window, are required for blocking virus-induced apoptosis. This corresponds to the same prevention time frame as reported for HSV-1. (iii) Importantly, CHX addition prior to 3 hpi led to less apoptosis than that at 3 hpi. This suggests that proteins produced immediately upon infection are needed for efficient apoptosis induction by HSV-2. This finding is different from that observed previously with HSV-1. (iv) Infected cell factors produced during the HSV-2(G) prevention window inhibited apoptosis induced by external TNFalpha plus cycloheximide treatment. (v) NF-kappaB translocated to nuclei and its presence in nuclei correlated with apoptosis prevention during HSV-2(G) infection. (vi) Finally, clinical HSV-2 isolates induced and prevented apoptosis in HEp-2 cells in a manner similar to that of laboratory strains. Thus, while laboratory and clinical HSV-2 strains are capable of modulating apoptosis in human HEp-2 cells, the mechanism of HSV-2 induction of apoptosis differs from that of HSV-1.