Herpes simplex virus triggers and then disarms a host antiviral response

Virus infection induces an antiviral response that is predominantly associa ted with the synthesis and secretion of soluble interferon. Here, we report that herpes simplex virus type 1 virions induce an interferon-independent antiviral state in human embryonic lung cells that prevents plaquing of a v ariety of viruses. Microarray analysis of 19,000 human expressed sequence t ags revealed induction of a limited set of host genes, the majority of whic h are also induced by interferon. Genes implicated in controlling the intra cellular spread of virus and eliminating virally infected cells were among those induced. Induction of the cellular response occurred in the absence o f de novo cellular protein synthesis and required viral penetration. In add ition, this response was only seen when viral gene expression was inhibited , suggesting that a newly synthesized viral protein(s) may function as an i nhibitor of this response.