Abstract

Varicella-zoster virus is an alpha-herpesvirus that causes varicella and zoster. Infection of T cells allows VZV transfer from the respiratory tract to skin and the typical herpes zoster rash results from axonal transport after VZV reactivation in neurons. Our research program investigates the mechanisms of VZV take-over of its target cells, focusing on infection of primary human tonsil T cells and adult skin xenografts in the severe combined immunodeficiency (SCIO) mouse model. We plan to pursue our longstanding objective to understand of VZV pathogenesis in new directions that are designed to determine the role of activation of protein kinase R in VZV infection, the effects of complement as an innate defense against VZV infection of tonsil T cells and VZV countermeasures, and glycoprotein-mediated mechanisms of VZV entry into T cells. This work is expected to provide new knowledge about the takeover of host cell signaling pathways by VZV to support its replication, the regulation of VZV pathogenesis by innate host responses and how VZV overcomes these barriers, and the functions of VZV glycoproteins during infection of differentiated human cells, all of which are critical for VZV infection of the human host.

Public Health Relevance

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
4R37AI020459-37
Application #
9968744
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (NSS)
Program Officer
Beisel, Christopher E
Project Start
1994-08-01
Project End
2024-01-31
Budget Start
2021-02-01
Budget End
2022-01-31
Support Year
37
Fiscal Year
2021
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Stanford University
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
009214214
City
Stanford
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94305

  Publications

Zerboni, Leigh; Sung, Phillip; Sommer, Marvin et al. (2018) The C-terminus of varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein M contains trafficking motifs that mediate skin virulence in the SCID-human model of VZV pathogenesis. Virology 523:110-120
Zerboni, Leigh; Sung, Phillip; Lee, Gordon et al. (2018) Age-Associated Differences in Infection of Human Skin in the SCID Mouse Model of Varicella-Zoster Virus Pathogenesis. J Virol 92:
Sen, Nandini; Sung, Phillip; Panda, Arjun et al. (2018) Distinctive Roles for Type I and Type II Interferons and Interferon Regulatory Factors in the Host Cell Defense against Varicella-Zoster Virus. J Virol 92:
Sullivan, Nicole L; Reuter-Monslow, Morgan A; Sei, Janet et al. (2018) Breadth and Functionality of Varicella-Zoster Virus Glycoprotein-Specific Antibodies Identified after Zostavax Vaccination in Humans. J Virol 92:
Oliver, Stefan L; Yang, Edward; Arvin, Ann M (2017) Dysregulated Glycoprotein B-Mediated Cell-Cell Fusion Disrupts Varicella-Zoster Virus and Host Gene Transcription during Infection. J Virol 91:
Yang, Edward; Arvin, Ann M; Oliver, Stefan L (2017) The Glycoprotein B Cytoplasmic Domain Lysine Cluster Is Critical for Varicella-Zoster Virus Cell-Cell Fusion Regulation and Infection. J Virol 91:
Oliver, Stefan L; Yang, Edward; Arvin, Ann M (2016) Varicella-Zoster Virus Glycoproteins: Entry, Replication, and Pathogenesis. Curr Clin Microbiol Rep 3:204-215
Yang, Edward; Arvin, Ann M; Oliver, Stefan L (2016) Role for the ?V Integrin Subunit in Varicella-Zoster Virus-Mediated Fusion and Infection. J Virol 90:7567-78
Sen, Nandini; Arvin, Ann M (2016) Dissecting the Molecular Mechanisms of the Tropism of Varicella-Zoster Virus for Human T Cells. J Virol 90:3284-7
François, Sylvie; Sen, Nandini; Mitton, Bryan et al. (2016) Varicella-Zoster Virus Activates CREB, and Inhibition of the pCREB-p300/CBP Interaction Inhibits Viral Replication In Vitro and Skin Pathogenesis In Vivo. J Virol 90:8686-97

Showing the most recent 10 out of 28 publications