HSV-1 miR-H6 inhibits HSV-1 replication and IL-6 expression in human corneal epithelial cells in vitro

Clin Dev Immunol. 2012:2012:192791. doi: 10.1155/2012/192791. Epub 2012 Apr 9.

Abstract

HSV-1 infection in the cornea could lead to blindness. The infected cell polypeptide 4 (ICP4) of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is a regulator of viral transcription that is required for productive infection. It has been previously demonstrated that miR-H6 encoded from HSV-1 genome targets ICP4 to help maintain latency. In this study, synthesized miR-H6 mimics were transfected into HSV-1-infected human cornea epithelial (HCE) cells. The inhibition of HSV-1 replication and viral ICP4 expression in miR-H6-transfected HCE was confirmed by plaque assay, immunofluorescence, and Western blot. Compared to nontransfection or mock, miR-H6 produced a low-titer HSV-1 and weak ICP4 expression. In addition, miR-H6 can decrease the interleukin 6 released into the medium, which was determined by ELISA. Taken together, the data suggests that miR-H6 targeting of ICP4 inhibits HSV-1 productive infection and decreases interleukin 6 production in HCE, and this may provide an approach to prevent HSV-1 lytic infection and inhibit corneal inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cornea / immunology
  • Cornea / pathology
  • Cornea / virology
  • Epithelial Cells / immunology
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology
  • Epithelial Cells / virology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / immunology
  • Herpes Simplex / immunology
  • Herpes Simplex / pathology
  • Herpes Simplex / virology
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / immunology*
  • Interleukin-6 / biosynthesis
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / immunology*
  • Molecular Mimicry
  • Oligoribonucleotides / immunology
  • RNA, Viral / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Viral / immunology*
  • Transcription, Genetic / immunology
  • Transfection
  • Virus Latency
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Immediate-Early Proteins
  • Interleukin-6
  • MicroRNAs
  • Oligoribonucleotides
  • RNA, Viral
  • herpes simplex virus, type 1 protein ICP4