Herpes Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Herpes, including details on herpes simplex virus (hsv), genital, oral, symptoms, treatment.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 entry into cultured human corneal fibroblasts is mediated by herpesvirus entry mediator.

Tiwari V, Shukla SY, Yue BY, Shukla D

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infections in the eye are becoming increasingly common in adults. The most likely point of entry for HSV-2 into the eye is through the cornea. By using primary cultures of human corneal fibroblasts (CFs), a natural target-cell type for infection, it was demonstrated that CFs are highly susceptible to HSV-2 entry and replication. RT-PCR and flow-cytometry analyses demonstrated expression of herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM), a known mediator for HSV-2 entry into cells. Blocking of virus entry into CFs by anti-HVEM antibody implicated HVEM as a potential receptor for HSV-2 infection. These results indicate that HVEM may play a crucial role in HSV-2-induced corneal infections.

Published 11 July 2007 in J Gen Virol, 88: 2106-10.
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