HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS-2 CAUSES APOPTOTIC INFECTION IN MONOCYTOID CELLS

Increasing evidence indicates that apoptosis can be associated with se veral viral infections, Here we demonstrate, that infection of monocyt oid cells by Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) resulted, in time-and dose -dependent induction of apoptosis as an exclusive cytopathic effect, T he phenomenon was confirmed using four different techniques, Conversel y, apoptosis was not observed in the Vero cell line, Virus yield in mo nocytoid cells was delayed and reduced, although well detectable, in c omparison with that observed in Vero cells, Nevertheless, released vir ions exhibited full infecting capability. Apoptosis induced by HSV-P w as not inhibited by cycloheximide and only partially by an UV-treatmen t which completely abrogated infectivity. Virus-induced apoptosis was partly inhibited by indomethacin and was associated with a down-regula tion of Bcl-2, A similar, but less pronounced, apoptosis-inducing effe ct in monocytoid cells was also observed with HSV-1 infection. Dependi ng on the target cells, therefore, HSV could complete a cycle of infec tion which is characterized by apoptosis of infected cells.