Modulation of herpes simplex virus type 1 replication by human salivary secretions

Abstract

Saliva functions to protect the oral cavity from pathogenic invasion by modulating the ability of microbes to colonize the oral surfaces or limiting their growth and/or viability. Although the role of salivary secretions in the modulation of the oral bacteria flora has received considerable attention, little is known concerning its role in viral pathogenesis. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to assess the effect of salivary secretions on herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication. Initially, HSV-1 plaque and titer reduction assays were performed to determine the ability of human submandibular/sublingual (HSMSL) and parotid (HPS) salivas to inhibit the early stages of HSV-1 infection (adsorption and penetration). Our results suggested that both HSMSL and HPS possess cell-protective and virus neutralization activities, with HSMSL being more active than HPS. Additional experiments were performed to determine the effect of saliva on the yield of virus progeny. Again, HSMSL caused a greater reduction of HSV-1 replication than did HPS. A similar effect could not be obtained using vaccinia, suggesting that this inhibitory activity of human saliva is selective. Collectively, these results suggest that human salivary secretions can modulate the replication of HSV-1 in vitro.

Human herpes simplex virus infections: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and management

“…92 Interestingly, recurrent oral herpes infection may be prevented by both anti-HSV neutralizing properties as well as IgA and IgG antibodies in saliva. [113][114][115][116][117][118][119] Subclinical viral shedding is also a serious concern with genital herpes, increasing the risk of transmission to the uninfected sexual partners. 120 Common genital sites of subclinical viral shedding include penile skin, urethra, and perianal areas in men and vulva, urethra, cervix, and perineum in women.…”

Mucin Biopolymers As Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Agents

“…It appears that mucins might play a major role in the phenomenon of mucoadhesion. Indeed, isolated human salivary mucins directly interact with HIV-1 5 and have also been suggested to reduce HSV-1 infectivity 6 . Moreover, purified human breast milk mucins can block poxvirus infection 7 , and isolated gastrointestinal mucins inhibit rotaviruses 8 and noroviruses 9 .…”

Hantavirus RNA in Saliva from Patients with Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome

“…However, person-to-person transmission has recently been documented for the ANDV that causes HCPS (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13), and contaminated human saliva suggests a possible route of infection (13). For herpesviruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus and herpesviruses-7 and -8, person-to-person transmission can occur from saliva (14-16), but human salivary secretions could also negatively modulate herpesvirus infectivity as shown for herpesvirus-1 (17).…”