Membranes of Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1-Infected Human Corneal Epithelial Cells Are Not Permeabilized to Macromolecules and Therefore Do Not Release IL-1α

AbstractNanogram amounts of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1α (IL-1α) were detected in uninfected cultures of human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC). Although HSV-1 replicated >104-fold in these cells and caused extensive cytopathic effects, virus infection was not accompanied by significant extracellular release of IL-1α. Additional studies showed that release of radiolabeled cytosolic proteins from virus-infected HCEC was no greater than that released by mock-infected cells. These findings indicate that HSV-1 infection of HCEC does not result in IL-1α release because newly formed virus progeny can escape infected cells without disrupting cell membranes