UV-RADIATION AND MOUSE MODELS OF HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS-INFECTION

Orolabial human infections with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) ar e very common; following the primary epidermal infection, the virus is retained in a latent form in the trigeminal ganglia from where it can reactivate and cause a recrudescent lesion, Recrudescences are trigge red by various stimuli including exposure to sunlight, In this review three categories of mouse models are used to examine the effects of UV irradiation on HSV infections: these are UV exposure prior to primary infection, UV exposure as a triggering event for recrudescence and UV exposure prior to challenge with virus in mice already immunized to H SV, In each of these models immunosuppression occurs, which is manifes t, in some instances, in increased morbidity or an increased rate of r ecrudescence. Where known, the immunological mechanisms involved in th e models are summarized and their relevance to human infections consid ered.