Discovery shows how herpes simplex virus reactivates in neurons to trigger disease
Wednesday, December 9, 2015 - 19:31
in Biology & Nature
Green fluorescent protein-tagged herpes simplex virus is reactivating from cultures of neurons. When we get cold sores, the reason is likely related to stress. In particular, the neurons in which the herpes simplex virus (HSV) reside, are under stress. For the first time, researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine discovered a cellular mechanism that allows the virus to reactivate. They also found how brain cells are duped into allowing bits of virus to escape the very repressive environment in neurons and cause disease.