Herpes virus articles from across Nature Portfolio

Here, the authors identify neuron-specific miR-9 that potentially blocks HSV-1 neuronal replication by targeting host OCT-1 and ONECUT transcription factors involved in epigenetic activation of HSV-1 productive-cycle genes. Thus miR-9 promotes viral epigenetic silencing and latent infection in neurons.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous pathogen associated with morbidity and mortality in the immunocompromised or immunonaive context. Here the authors show that HCMV exploits STING signalling and subverts the interferon response to support infection of monocyte derive dendritic cells.

The oncogenic Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is known to reprogram cellular metabolism. Here, Wan et al show that viral Cyclin exploits host nucleotide synthesis and glycolysis to support KSHV pathogenesis.

Viruses have evolved specific mechanisms to reduce programmed cell death in order to prolong survival. Here the authors show a mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) encoded protein that inhibits pyroptosis, proinflammatory cytokine release and the assembly of inflammasomes.

Two recent papers implicate Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) as a trigger for the development of multiple sclerosis and provide mechanistic insights into EBV-mediated development of the disease.

This study provides insights into the neuroinvasive mechanism of neurotropic alphaherpesviruses, which involves viral assimilation and repurposing of a cellular motor protein.

This study reports the development of a CRISPR –Cas9 therapeutic to target herpes simplex virus 1 and treat herpetic stromal keratitis in mice.

This paper found that cytoplasmic control of intranuclear polarity by human cytomegalovirus leads to segregation of viral DNA from heterochromatin, thus promoting virus replication.

Topical administration of aminoglycoside antibiotics has been shown to induce expression of interferon-stimulated genes in dendritic cells, inducing an antiviral state in the vaginal and lung mucosa that increases resistance to infection with herpes simplex virus 1, influenza and Zika viruses.