Latency-associated transcript (LAT) sequences regulate herpes simplex virus (HSV) latency and reactivation from sensory neurons. We found a HSV-2 LAT-related microRNA (miRNA) designated miR-I in transfected and infected cells in vitro and in acutely and latently infected ganglia of guinea pigs in vivo. miR-I is also expressed in human sacral dorsal root ganglia latently infected with HSV-2. miR...

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) has the capacity to establish a life-long latent infection in sensory neurones and also to periodically reactivate from these cells. Since mutant viruses defective for immediate-early (IE) expression retain the capacity for latency establishment it is widely assumed that latency is the consequence of a block in IE gene expression. However, it is not clear whe...

The latency-associated transcript (LAT) is required for efficient reactivation of herpes simplex virus type 1 from latent infection in the rabbit eye model, but LAT's mechanism of action is unknown. In addition to reactivation, the LAT region seems to correspond to multiple functions, with some LAT deletion mutants exhibiting increased virulence, increased neuronal death, and restricted establi...

An important question in virology is the mechanism(s) by which persistent viruses such as the herpesviruses and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) establish a latent infection in specific types of cells. In the case of herpesviruses, herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection of epithelial cells results in a lytic infection, whereas latent infection is established in sensory neurons. Recent studies h...

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1), like other members of the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily, establishes latent infection in sensory neurons. Reactivation from latency can occur after natural or corticosteroid-induced stress culminating in recurrent disease and/or virus transmission to uninfected animals. Our previous results concluded that CD4(+) T cells in the tonsil and other adjacent lymph nodes a...

UNLABELLED Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) can undergo a productive infection in nonneuronal and neuronal cells such that the genes of the virus are transcribed in an ordered cascade. HSV-1 can also establish a more quiescent or latent infection in peripheral neurons, where gene expression is substantially reduced relative to that in productive infection. HSV mutants defective in multiple immedi...

Following primary ocular infection, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) establishes a lifelong latent infection in sensory neurons of the trigeminal ganglia. Latency-associated transcript (LAT), the only known viral gene abundantly transcribed during HSV-1 neuronal latency, is required for high levels of reactivation. Recently we showed that three different mutants that do not alter the LAT pro...

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is the leading cause of virus-induced encephalitis; however, the viral genes that regulate encephalitis have not been well characterized. In this study, we tested whether the LAT (latency-associated transcript) locus regulates the frequency of encephalitis in male or female mice. Male BALB/c mice are more susceptible to HSV-1-induced encephalitis than age-mat...