Innate immune response in astrocytes infected with herpes simplex virus 1.

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), a double-stranded DNA virus, infects epithelial surfaces and establishes latency in the central nervous system, where astrocytes are a major immune cell type. Here, we report changes that occur in the expression of pathogen recognition receptors, such as Toll-like receptors, DNA and RNA sensors, interferons, and interferon-stimulated genes, when astrocytes are infected with HSV-1 strain F. We observed upregulation of Toll-like receptors 2, 6 and 9, MDA5, and DAI along with an increase in the expression of type I interferons and interferon-stimulated genes such as IFIT1, IFIT3 and RNase L. These genes encode proteins that mediate the antiviral immune response.