Cell type specific accumulation of the major latency-associated transcript (LAT) of herpes simplex virus type 2 in LAT transgenic mice

We performed in situ hybridization to determine the cell type specific accumulation of the intron of the latency-associated transcript (LAT) in tissues in HSV-2 LAT transgenic mice in which LAT expression is driven by its native promoter. We identified LAT in multiple cell types in most tissues analyzed from HSV-2 LAT transgenic mice. While weak to moderate signals were seen in brain and spinal cord neurons, epithelial cells, and muscle cells, the strongest signals were detected in neurons from dorsal root and trigeminal ganglia. About 70–86% of neurons in these ganglia were LAT-positive with varying signal intensities, while cells surrounding the neurons were LAT-negative. The frequency of A5 or KH10-positive neurons was similar in LAT-positive and total neurons. These data indicate that HSV-2 LAT promoter activity is not restricted to neurons and that LAT accumulation in ganglionic neurons is likely regulated by cell-specific factors.