Screening of genetic loci predisposing to herpes simplex virus infection on mouse chromosome 17

Aim: The herpes simplex virus (HSV), one of the most common viruses infecting humans, is featured by a high infection rate and usually causes complex disorders difficult to diagnose and treat. Disease progression is always combined with the specific interaction between organism and environment, but genetic factors play a decisive role in most pathogenic processes. Like most human disorders, individual difference has also been involved in the pathogenesis of HSV infection. The present study aimed to screen the potential gene loci that regulates human predisposition to HSV infection.Methods: With reference to previous studies, inbred mouse lines with significantly distinct predisposition to HSV infection were chosen for gene loci screening. Gene sites on mouse chromosome 17 associated with susceptibility to HSV infection were then identified by correlation analysis and genome-wide scanning technique.Results: Genes affecting the vulnerability of mice to HSV infection were mapped to three regions on the 17th mouse chromosome, D17MIT51.1, D17MIT39.1 and the region between D17MIT180.1 and D17MIT184.Conclusion: The results suggest that the mouse genetic background plays an important role in its susceptibility to HSV-1 infection, which might be regulated by multiple predisposing quantitative trait loci