TNF-α mediates pseudorabies virus-induced apoptosis via the activation of p38 MAPK and JNK/SAPK signaling

PRV infection causes apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. However, the significance of PRV-induced apoptosis and its signaling pathways is still unknown. This work investigates the role of MAPK pathways in mediating PRV-induced apoptosis. Flow cytometry, apoptosis ELISA and western blotting using antibodies against cleaved caspase-3, -6 and PARP demonstrated that PRV induces apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. p38 and JNK/SAPK inhibitors significantly protected cells from PRV-induced apoptosis. Inhibitor treatment did not affect Us3a gene transcription and progeny virus production. Western blotting revealed that PRV activates p38 and JNK/SAPK signaling. Inhibition of NF-κB had no effect on PRV-mediated apoptosis. Non-replicative PRV failed to activate p38 and JNK/SAPK or induce apoptosis. PRV infection increases TNF-α transcription, translation and secretion, as well as TNF-α receptor expression. Inhibition of p38 and JNK/SAPK reduced PRV-induced TNF-α up-regulation. Neutralization assay confirmed that TNF-α is a key mediator involved in PRV-induced apoptosis.