Regulation of herpes simplex virus type 1 latency-reactivation cycle and ocular disease by cellular signaling pathways

Following acute infection, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) establishes life-long latency in sensory and other neurons. Recurrent ocular HSV-1 outbreaks are generally due to reactivation from latency. The HSV-1 latency-reactivation cycle is a complex virus-host relationship. The viral encoded latency-associated transcript (LAT) is abundantly expressed in latency and encodes several micro-RNAs and other small non-coding RNAs, which may regulate expression of key viral and cellular genes. Certain cellular signaling pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin and mTOR pathway, mediate certain aspect of the latency-reactivation cycle. Stress, via activation of the glucocorticoid receptor and other stress induced cellular transcription factors, are predicted to trigger reactivation from latency by stimulating viral gene expression and impairing immune responses and inflammation. These observations suggest stress and certain cellular signaling pathways play key roles in regulating the latency-reactivation cycle and recurrent ocular disease.