The herpes simplex virus type 1 ribonucleotide reductase is required for acute retinal disease

C. R. Brandt, P. Imesch, B. Spencer, B. Eliassi-Rad, N. A. Syed, S. Untawale, N. L. Robinson, D. M. Albert

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have used a herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) ribonucleotide reductase (RR) null mutant (ICP6Δ) to determine if the HSV-1 RR is required for acute retinal disease. Injection of the ICP6Δ mutant into the vitreous induced mild transient signs of infection (vitreal infiltrate, retinal inflammation, and changes in retinal cytology). In contrast, the parental KOS and a revertant virus (ICP6Δ + 3.1) in which the RR gene had been restored, caused severe retinitis. Injection of media alone also induced mild transient signs of disease. Two months after infection, ICP6Δ injected eyes could not be distinguished from normal eyes. Repeated injection of ICP6Δ (3 times, 2 weeks apart) resulted in vitreal infiltrate near the site of injection but the retina did not appear damaged. The mutant, ICP6Δ, grew to peak titers 1 x 103 to 1 x 105-fold lower and cleared faster than KOS or ICP6Δ + 3.1 in the injected eyes suggesting that the reduced virulence was due to reduced ability of the virus to grow. These results show that the viral RR is required for acute retinal disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)883-896
Number of pages14
JournalArchives of Virology
Volume142
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Virology

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