Simian alphaherpesviruses and their relation to the human herpes simplex viruses

Abstract

Biochemical and immunological properties of structural and non-structural polypeptides of the human simplex viruses (HSV1 and HSV2) and four related herpesviruses of non-human primates [Herpesvirus simiae (B virus), H. cercopithicus (SA8), H. saimiri 1 (HVS 1), and H. ateles 1 (HVA 1)] were compared. Using a radioimmunoassay (RIA), the presence of antigenic determinants shared among all six viruses was demonstrated. The relative degree of antigenic cross-reactivity among these viruses was further assessed by competition RIA. Antigenically, HSV 1 and HSV 2 were most closely related to each other although both SA 8 and B virus were also very closely related to HSV 1. Considerably less cross-reactivity existed between either HVS 1 or HVA 1 and the other four primate herpesviruses. Cross-hybridization between simian and human herpesvirus genomes demonstrated that extensive homology exists between each of the simian viruses and both HSV1 and HSV 2. Viral polypeptides bearing common antigenic determinants were identified by immune precipitation of infected cell polypeptides and by immunoblotting. Among the polypeptides of HSV which were recognized by antisera to simian viruses were the VP 5 and p40 proteins, both of which are structural components of the virion nucleocapsid. Using recombinant plasmids containing sequences of the HSV 1 VP5, p40, DNA polymerase, major DNA binding protein, and TK enzyme genes, homologous sequences were detected in all four simian viruses. Together, these results demonstrate that HSV 1, HSV 2, SA 8, and B virus form a closely related sub-group of the primate herpesviruses; HVS 1 and HVA 1 are also related to the other four primate herpesviruses, albeit more distantly.

Characterization of virus-specific and cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies to Herpesvirus simiae (B virus)

“…Of these three MAbs, only 19B6 recognized proteins in WB assays, where it cross-reacted with a single HSV-2 protein. Based on the relative size of this protein it may be HSV-2 gB (Hilliard et al, 1989).…”

“…Polyclonal antisera against purified proteins of various herpesviruses were developed in this laboratory as previously described (Eberle et al, 1989(Eberle et al, , 1995. Hyperimmune antisera to BV were prepared in New Zealand rabbits by repeated monthly iniections of 10 v BV-infected Vero cells mixed I: 1 with Freund's adjuvant.…”

“…Rabbits were bled once a month, beginning 2 weeks after the third immunization. Preparation of virus antigens and procedures for ELISA and western blot (WB) were as described in detail elsewhere (Hilliard et al, 1989;Katz et al, 1986). For radioimmunoprecipitation assays (RIP) assays, HEp-2 cells were labelled with 20 ,Ci/ml 35S-TransLabe], 50 ~tCi/ml [14C]glucosamine or 50 ~Ci/ml [aH]glucosamine (ICN) from 4-24 h postinfection (p.i.).…”

Cloning and expression of the complement receptor glycoprotein C from Herpesvirus simiae (herpes B virus): protection from complement-mediated cell lysis

“…The constructs have also been used for diagnostic serology testing. Serodiagnosis of SHBV is difficult due to extensive cross-reactivity with HSV specimens (Falke, 1964;Hilliard et al, 1989;Norcott & Brown, 1993). In addition, vaccinia virus constructs using the established modified vaccine virus strain Ankara (MVA) have the potential for use in immunization studies.…”

Specific Detection and Identification of Herpes B Virus by a PCR-Microplate Hybridization Assay

“…Herpes B virus is an alphaherpesvirus that shares some characteristics with the herpes simplex virus (HSV) (9). Both of the neurotropic viruses establish latency in the sensory nerve ganglia of their natural hosts (2,34).…”