Modulation of apoptosis in Equine herpesvirus-1 infected cells.

SCROCHI; ZANUZZI; FUENTEALBA; BRAVI; GIMENO; BARBEITO; PORTIANSKY; MUGLIA; GALOSI

Jornada; XV ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ARGENTINE BIOLOGY SOCIETY; 2013

Cellular apoptosis is used as a protective mechanism against infectious agents. Several viruses have developed different modulatory mechanisms to regulate it for stimulate their replication. Up to now it is unknown whether Equid herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) may exert a modulatory effect on the apoptotic process of the infected cell. We aimed to study the effect of EHV-1 in a heterologous cell culture line. The Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells infected with EHV-1 and then, were induced to apoptosis with sorbitol at 3, 9, and 18 hs posinfecion (pi) (Inf+/ Apo+). Apoptosis was studied by orange acridine and ethidium bromide staining, as well as by flow cytometry using an annexin V/propidium iodide apoptosis detection kit. In addition, ultrastructural changes were evaluated. We found a significant reduction in the apoptotic rate of (Inf+/Apo+) cells at 9 hs pi in comparison with the non infected and apoptosis induced group (Inf-/Apo+). Viral particles and changes induced by apoptosis were ultrastructurally recognized. We conclude that EHV-1 may delay the apoptosis of the infected cells during the first stages of their cycle, an effect that may improve its replication.