Induction of interleukin-1 ? and ? gene transcription in mouse peritoneal exudate cells after intraperitoneal infection with herpes simplex virus-1

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Abstract
Summary Macrophages have been shown to play a determining role in the immune defense against herpes simplex virus-1 (HIV-1) intraperitoneal infection in the mouse. In the present study, the effect of HSV-1 infection on interleukin-1 α and β gene transcription in peritoneal exudate cells was investigated. HSV-1 infection was found to induce interleukin-1 α and β gene transcription in these cells. Induction of the interleukin-1 β gene initiated 6 h postinfection (p.i.) and terminated at 48 h p.i. In contrast, interleukin-1 α RNA was detectable at high levels at 6 h p.i. but not at 24 h p.i. Inactivation of virus prior to infection prevented HSV-1-induced IL-1 gene induction, indicating that only infectious virus is able to stimulate IL-1 gene transcription. These findings are discussed in relation to the role of macrophages in the immunological mechanisms of defense against HSV-1 infection.