Replication characteristics and core size of intranuclear herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) in genital skin lesions: electronmicroscopy studies of a biopsy from a female patient

Selective uptake of viral and monocrystalline particles delivered intra-arterially to experimental brain neoplasms

In this study we investigated the intra-arterial delivery of viral and nonviral particles to experimental brain tumors. A herpes simplex virus (HSV) vector and monocrystalline iron oxide nanoparticles (MION) were injected into the internal carotid artery of Fisher 344 rats harboring intracerebral 9L gliosarcomas, using bradykinin to disrupt the blood-tumor barrier. Brain and internal organs were stained both for virus-mediated gene expression and for iron. Quantitative comparisons of gene expression and MION uptake with and without blood-tumor barrier disruption were performed in the center and at the periphery of the tumor mass, as well as in normal brain. In addition, MION distribution was traced in vivo by MR imaging. Delivery of HSV into 9L gliosarcoma cells was greatly enhanced by intra-carotid bradykinin infusion. Virus-mediated expression of the HSV-thymidine kinase (TK) and beta-galactosidase gene products was highest at the tumor periphery as compared to the tumor center. Selective HSV infection of multiple tumor foci was achieved in both hemispheres without affecting normal brain. MION uptake was high at the tumor periphery even without blood-tumor barrier disruption. Bradykinin increased MION uptake predominantly in the center of the tumor with virtually no effect at the periphery. These findings show that selective blood-tumor barrier disruption by bradykinin can be used to enhance HSV-mediated gene delivery to tumor cells in the periphery of brain tumors. A crucial aspect in the treatment of malignant brain tumors is the eradication of tumor cells infiltrating the brain; bradykinin may facilitate access of vectors to these areas by selective disruption of their neovasculature.

HSV-2 replication sites, monocyte and lymphocytic cell infection and virion phagocytosis by neutrophils, in vesicular lesions on penile skin. Electronoptical studies of a biopsy

From a heterosexual male with recurrent genital herpes simplex virus (HSV-2) infection, a fresh intraepidermal vesicle on the penile skin was excised by punch biopsy, fixed and processed for electron microscopy. Differing locations and appearances of capsids and virions were studied to elucidate true host or destroyer cells. HSV-2 propagation and virion formation occurred predominantly in multi- or mononucleate spinosum cells situated at the base of the vesicle. However, some of the monocytes, young histiocytes and lymphocytic cells floating in the vesicle fluid were also involved. They harbored a small number of intranuclear capsids, designating the cells as viral (capsid) carriers. Infrequently encountered free virions in the vesicle fluid were invariably seen near neutrophils. All neutrophil granulocytes examined lacked intranuclear capsids. In contrast, distinct evidence of phagocytosis of virions and some capsids by neutrophils was found in the vesicle fluid near apical portions of spinosum cells packed with virions, or in neutrophils located between virion-loaded spinosum cells in the base lining of the vesicle. In the cytoplasm of neutrophils, single and lysosome-enclosed clusters of virions were noted. Myelin figures and vacuolation of lysosomes in free-floating neutrophils were suggestive of virion distintegration. Viral propagation and abundant virion formation, beside neutrophil and lymphocyte attack, eventually lead to spinosum cell destruction. The minimal cytopathic effects (CPE) observed in involved monocytes and lymphocytic cells floating in the vesicle fluid suggest that these cells might function as vehicles for HSV-2 (capsid) transport to the exterior or interior.