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December 15, 2006|Volume 35, Number 13|Four-Week Issue


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Discovery has implications
for treatment of herpes

Yale School of Medicine researchers have determined how the body's immune system springs into action when invaded by the herpes simplex virus, which can lead to fatal sporadic encephalitis in infants and children.

In a study published this month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers found only a handful of patients carry a form of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) that activates Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), one of two key immune receptors. In contrast, all forms of HSV-1 viruses isolated from patients activated Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9).

There were no distinguishing symptoms among patients with the rare form, although the sample size was too small to draw any statistical conclusions, according to senior author Akiko Iwasaki, associate professor of immunobiology.

"What was interesting was the observation that for the HSV-1 variant that triggered TLR2, full activation of dendritic cells also required TLR9, suggesting that there is a sequential activation of these two receptors within the same dendritic cell," Iwasaki says.

Dendritic cells are immune cells that are present in small quantities in tissues that are in contact with the external environment, mainly the skin and the inner lining of the nose, lungs, stomach and intestines. Once activated, they migrate to the lymphoid tissues where they interact with T cells and B cells to initiate and shape the immune response.

Iwasaki said the researchers also found that all forms of HSV-1 that they tested triggered TLR9 in a specialized cell known as the plasmacytoid dendritic cell. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells act as factories for type 1 interferons, which have potent antiviral activities against many types of viruses.

"This study has implications on the possible treatment options for herpes encephalitis by controlling inflammatory pathways induced through these Toll-like receptors," she says.

Co-authors included Ayuko Sato, a postdoctoral fellow, and Melissa Linehan, a research associate.

-- By Jacqueline Weaver


T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Gift from alumni to expand Grand Strategy Program

State gives Yale $7.8 million for stem cell research

Environmental activist named Marshall Scholar

Yale scientist helps keep museum's trains chugging along

Project will consider how to develop 'pastoral imagination'

Human Resources department to pilot STARS . . .

Yale researchers share expertise with Ethiopian health care . . .

Global Citizenship Initiative awarded Hewlett Foundation grant

Child psychiatrist wins award for contributions to education

Alan Kazdin named president of American Psychological Association

Thomas Steitz honored by Japanese university

The Duke's Men make holiday appearances

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE NEWS

Exhibit showcases work of Preservation Department

Spring courses for executives will focus on global forestry issues

Sidney Blatt lauded for contributions to psychoanalytic research

Yale Collection of Musical Instruments announces expanded hours

Campus Notes


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