IN-VIVO PRODUCTION OF CYTOKINES AND BETA-(C-C) CHEMOKINES IN HUMAN RECURRENT HERPES-SIMPLEX LESIONS - DO HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS-INFECTED KERATINOCYTES CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR PRODUCTION

Recurrent human herpes simplex lesions are infiltrated by macrophages and CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes, which secrete cytokines and chemokines. V esicle fluid was examined by ELISA for the presence of cytokines and b eta (C-C) chemokines. On the first day of the lesion, high concentrati ons of interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-6, moderate concentrations of IL -1 alpha and IL-10, and low concentrations of IL-12 and beta chemokine s were found; levels of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1 beta w ere significantly higher than levels of MIP-1 alpha and RANTES. At day 3, the concentrations of IL-1 beta, IL-6, and MIP-1 beta were lower, whereas the levels of IL-10, IL-12, and MIP-1 alpha remained similar, and the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha was now detectable. Herpe s simplex virus infection of keratinocytes in vitro stimulated product ion of beta chemokines followed by IL-12 and then IL-10, IL-1 alpha, I L-1 beta, and IL-6, indicating a potential role for these events in ea rly recruitment, activation, and interferon-gamma production of CD4 ce lls in herpetic lesions.