Title
The role of toll-like receptors in herpes simplex infection in neonates
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Pediatrics; Department of Medicine
Date
3-1-2005
Document Type
Article
Medical Subject Headings
Adult; Age Factors; Cells, Cultured; Cytokines; Herpes Simplex; Herpesvirus 1, Human; Herpesvirus 2, Human; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Interleukin-6; Interleukin-8; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Membrane Glycoproteins; Receptors, Cell Surface; Toll-Like Receptor 2; Toll-Like Receptors
Disciplines
Hematology | Oncology | Pediatrics
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs)--and their associated signal-transducing proteins--on the surface of cells have been demonstrated to account for most, if not all, of the events associated with bacterial sepsis. Using human cells expressing different TLRs, we demonstrated that the interaction between TLR2 and herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1-2 leads to the production of cytokines. Using peripheral-blood mononuclear cells, we tested the ability of cells from people of different age groups to make cytokines in response to HSV. An examination of the host responses of neonates to HSV indicates that, rather than producing less interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in response to HSV than adults do, neonates produce more of these cytokines than adults do. This may explain the sepsis syndrome that is seen with HSV (and other virus infections) in neonates.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: J Infect Dis. 2005 Mar 1;191(5):746-8. Epub 2005 Jan 18. doi: 10.1086/427339