In Vivo Knockdown of the Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Latency-Associated Transcript Reduces Reactivation from Latency.

ABSTRACT: During herpes simplex virus (HSV) latency, most viral genes are silenced, with the exception of one region of the genome encoding the latency-associated transcript (LAT). This long noncoding RNA was originally described as having a role in enhancing HSV-1 reactivation. However, subsequent evidence showing that the LAT blocked apoptosis and promoted efficient establishment of latency suggested that its effects on reactivation were secondary to establishment. Here, we utilized an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to deliver a LAT-targeting hammerhead ribozyme to HSV-1-infected neurons of rabbits after the establishment of HSV-1 latency. The rabbits were then induced to reactivate latent HSV-1. Using this model, we show that decreasing LAT levels in neurons following the establishment of la

SUBMITTER: Watson ZL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6069208 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature