Equine herpes virus type 1 (EHV-1) infection induces alterations in the cytoskeleton of Vero cells but not apoptosis

Effects of infection with two different strains of equine herpes virus type 1 (EHV-1; Fiber 178/83, Kentucky D) on the cytoskeleton of Vero cells were investigated immunohistochemically, and evaluated by confocal laser scanni ng microscopy. Twenty four hours post EHV-1 infection the assembly of the m icrotubulus system of Vero cells was heavily disturbed. The Golgi region wa s dispersed into vesicles spread throughout the cytoplasm as demonstrated b y WGA lectin binding. Other cytoskeletal elements such as cytokeratin, vime ntin, and filamentous actin (F-actin) were not affected by EHV-1 infection. The nature of Vero cell death after EHV-1 infection was investigated by th ree different methods to include all possible stages of apoptosis. All meth ods failed to demonstrate characteristic apoptotic features, therefore, it seems likely that necrosis is the predominant way of cell death in EHV-1 in fected Vero cells.