FIG 3.

Expression of Cre in latently infected sensory neurons of HCF-1cKO mice results in reduced viral yields upon explant. (A) Schematic representation of the experimental strategy. Pools of HCF-1cKO and control C57BL/6 mice are infected with HSV-1 WT, CMV-Cre, ICP0-Cre, or LAT-Cre. At 30 to 45 days postinfection, ganglia from latently infected mice are explanted to induce reactivation. Reactivation is quantitated by several assays. (B) Cre mRNA levels in ganglia of HCF-1cKO mice latently infected with the indicated HSV strain at 0, 12, and 24 h post explant (2 experiments, pool of 4 ganglia per sample). (C) HSV DNA levels in ganglia of HCF-1cKO mice latently infected with the indicated HSV strain at 0 (latent) and 48 h post explant (Explant). Ratio E/L represents the ratio of DNA levels in explanted to latent ganglia (n ≥ 26 ganglia; Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunnett’s multiple-comparison test).