Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) can enter cells via endocytic pathways or direct fusion at the plasma membrane depending on the cell line and receptor(s). Most studies into virus entry have used cultured fibroblasts but since keratinocytes represent the primary entry site for HSV-1 infection in its human host, we initiated studies to characterize the entry pathway of HSV-1 into human keratinocytes. Electron microscopy studies visualized free capsids in the cytoplasm and enveloped virus particles in vesicles suggesting viral uptake both by direct fusion at the plasma membrane and by endocytic vesicles. The ratio of the two entry modes differed in primary human keratinocytes and in the keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. Inhibitor studies further support a role for endocytosis during HSV-1 entry. Infection was inhibited by the cholesterol-sequestering drug methyl-β-cyclodextrin, which demonstrates the requirement for host cholesterol during virus entry. Since the dynamin-specific inhibitor dynasore and overexpression of a dominant-negative dynamin mutant blocked infection, we conclude that the entry pathways into keratinocytes are dynamin-mediated. Electron microscopy studies confirmed that virus uptake is completely blocked when the GTPase activity of dynamin is inhibited. Ex vivo infection of murine epidermis that was treated with dynasore further supports the essential role of dynamin during entry into the epithelium. Thus, we conclude that HSV-1 can enter human keratinocytes by alternative entry pathways that require dynamin and host cholesterol.

Skin keratinocytes represent a primary entry site for herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) in vivo. The cellular proteins nectin-1 and herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) act as efficient receptors for both serotypes of HSV and are sufficient for disease development mediated by HSV-2 in mice. How HSV-1 enters skin and whether both nectin-1 and HVEM are involved are not known. We addressed the impact of nectin-1 during entry of HSV-1 into murine epidermis and investigated the putative contribution of HVEM. Using ex vivo infection of murine epidermis, we showed that HSV-1 entered the basal keratinocytes of the epidermis very efficiently. In nectin-1-deficient epidermis, entry was strongly reduced. Almost no entry was observed, however, in nectin-1-deficient keratinocytes grown in culture. This observation correlated with the presence of HVEM on the keratinocyte surface in epidermis and with the lack of HVEM expression in nectin-1-deficient primary keratinocytes. Our results suggest that nectin-1 is the primary receptor in epidermis, while HVEM has a more limited role. For primary murine keratinocytes, on which nectin-1 acts as a single receptor, electron microscopy suggested that HSV-1 can enter both by direct fusion with the plasma membrane and via endocytic vesicles. Thus, we concluded that nectin-1 directs internalization into keratinocytes via alternative pathways. In summary, HSV-1 entry into epidermis was shown to strongly depend on the presence of nectin-1, but the restricted presence of HVEM can potentially replace nectin-1 as a receptor, illustrating the flexibility employed by HSV-1 to efficiently invade tissue in vivo. H erpes simplex viruses (HSV) are ubiquitous human pathogens which can cause a range of diseases, from mild, uncomplicated mucocutaneous lesions to life-threatening infections. HSV-1 is dominantly associated with orofacial infections and encephalitis, whereas HSV-2 more likely causes genital infections. To enter its human host, HSV must come into contact with mucosal surfaces, skin, or the cornea. During initial exposure on mucosa or skin, HSV targets epidermal keratinocytes and establishes a primary infection in the epithelium. Cellular entry of HSV relies on the interaction of several viral glycoproteins with various cell surface receptors (1, 2). The envelope glycoprotein D (gD) is essential for the entry process, and only after gD binding to a receptor is fusion with a cellular membrane induced (3). The major gD receptors mediating entry into mouse and human cells are herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) and nectin-1 (4-6). HVEM is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily which can activate either proinflammatory or inhibitory signaling pathways (7), while nectin-1 is an immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecule (8). A further gD receptor is 3-O-sulfated heparan sulfate, which may also play a role in HSV-1 entry into various cell types (9, 10).

We have started to identify early viral RNAs that are transcribed at 1 h after inoculation to investigate the mechanism involved in the regulation of early gene expression of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV). Cloned viral DNA fragments were hybridized to Northern (RNA) blots of polyadenylated RNA isolated from Spodoptera frugiperda cells at 1, 2, and 6 h postinfection to localize very early transcripts. Subsequently we prepared a cDNA library of polyadenylated RNA transcribed at 1 h after inoculation to analyze the cDNA clones corresponding to the major early RNAs. We identified a gene located upstream of the immediate-early gene IE-N extending in the opposite direction. Because of the very early expression during AcNPV infection and the transient expression in uninfected cells, we conclude that we found an immediateearly gene, designated PE-38. The determination of the nucleotide sequence of PE-38 revealed one open reading frame potentially encoding a gene product of 38 kDa. Results of in vitro translation experiments suggest that a PE-38-specific polypeptide of approximately 38 kDa can be expressed. We have evidence from computer analyses that the predicted amino acid sequence includes two putative DNA-binding motifs, a zinc finger, and a leucine zipper. Plasmid constructions. The HindIII F fragment, 96.5 to 3.2 map units (m.u.), of AcNPV isolate E was cloned into pBR322. Several subclones of HindIII-F were generated.

The aim of this study was to understand how molecular determinants of epithelial cells influence initial infection by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Upon infection of the epithelial MDCKII cell line, enhanced association of virus particles with cells forming actin protrusions was observed, suggesting a putative role of actin dynamics in HSV-1 infection. Thus, the impact of the small Rho-like GTPases Rac1, Cdc42 and RhoA acting as key regulators of actin dynamics was addressed. Endogenous Rac1 and Cdc42 were temporarily activated at 15 and 30 min after HSV-1 infection. When constitutively active Cdc42 or Rac1 mutants were expressed transiently, a significant decrease in infectivity was observed, whereas expression of RhoA mutants had no influence. Furthermore, dominant-negative Cdc42 led to decreased infectivity, whereas dominant-negative Rac1 had no effect. So far, the study of potential effectors indicated that Rac1/Cdc42 mutants inhibited infectivity independently of p21-activated kinase (Pak1). The inhibitory effect of Rac1/Cdc42 mutant expression on HSV-1 infection was characterized further and it was found that binding, internalization and transport of HSV-1 were not affected by expression of Rac1/Cdc42 mutants. Thus, these results provide the first evidence for a role of Rac1/Cdc42 signalling during early HSV-1 infection and suggest a mechanism relying on virus-induced regulation of Rac1/Cdc42 activities.