The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) UL37 open reading frame encodes a 120-kDa late (gamma 1) phosphoprotein in infected cells. Analysis of isolated mature HSV virions and light particles revealed that the UL37 protein is a component of the virion. Detergent solubilization and protease digestion experiments suggest that the UL37 protein is part of the tegument structure. Indirect immunofluorescence experiments using HSV-1-infected cells and cells infected with a vaccinia recombinant virus that expresses the UL37 gene demonstrated that the UL37 protein is present in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of infected cells and that localization to the nucleus does not require additional HSV proteins.

To clarify the time course of immune system activity during and after acute stressor exposure, this study collected immune measures from 31 men at 6 times (before, during, and after 2 common laboratory stressors; mental arithmetic with harassment or a cold pressor task). The 6-min stressor period was associated with increased self-report of pain and distress in both stressor groups and with increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate in the mental arithmetic group. Increased natural killer cell activity in this group was observed during the task (2 and 5 min into the task) and 5 min after the task ended. A significant Group x Time effect was observed for lymphocyte proliferation to pokeweed mitogen, and a significant Group x Time x Dilution effect was observed for proliferation to concanavalin A. Inspection of the data suggested that this interaction was due to a reduction in proliferation in both stressor groups during the task period.

Several studies have shown that exposure to acute laboratory stressors produces an immediate change in immune function. We examined the effects of a mild laboratory stressor on natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and on psychological and cardiovascular measures in 24 adult males. Subjects in the experimental condition worked on the Stroop task without interference for 30 min with blood samples drawn at baseline, 10, 20, and 30 rnin into the task, and 40 rnin after completing the task. The 30-min stressor produced increases in self-reported stress and tension, and in SBP, DBP, and HR. It was also associated with a decrease in NK cell cytotoxicity 40 min after the stressor. Results are discussed in relation to the effects of mild and intense stressors and future research implications.

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