Differences in the Morphology of Herpes Simplex Virus Infected Cells: I. Comparative Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopic Studies on HSV-1 Infected HEp-2 and Chick Embryo Fibroblast Cells

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Abstract
Infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) induces different morphological changes in different cell lines. This is demonstrated by comparative scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopics investigations of cell cultures prepared under identical conditions. SEM of HSV-1 infected [human laryngeal carcinoma] HEp-2 cells reveals a slightly altered cell surface: only the number of the microvilli is reduced. Large amounts of released virions are detectable adhering to the outer plasma membrane. Ultra-thin sections show typical virus maturation steps in the nuclei formation of nucleocapsids and virus budding from the inner lamella of the nuclear membrane and the cytoplasm (egress of enveloped nucleocapsids through membranous structures). HSV-infected primary chick embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells are characterized by crumpled and rough surfaces without virus particles adhering to the membrane. Ultra-thin sections exhibit atypical virus maturation with many unenveloped nucleocapsids within the cytoplasm. The distribution of HSV-induced antigen(s) on the surface of the infected cells is identical in the 2 cell systems as determined by the peroxidase labeling technique. The c.p.e. [cytopathic effect] (as seen by phase contrast light microscopy) is similar in HEp-2 and CEF cells: fusion and rounding are induced in the infected cells.