Mimicking Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and Herpes Simplex Virus 2 Mucosal Behavior in a Well-Characterized Human Genital Organ Culture

We developed and morphologically characterized a human genital mucosa explant model (endocervix and ectocervix/vagina) to mimic genital herpes infections caused by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2). Subsequent analysis of HSV entry receptor expression throughout the menstrual cycle in genital tissues was performed and the evolution of HSV-1/-2 mucosal spread over time was assessed. Nectin-1 and -2 were found to be expressed in all tissues during the entire menstrual cycle. HVEM expression was limited mainly to some connective tissue cells. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 exhibited a plaquewise mucosal spread across the basement membrane and induced prominent epithelial syncytia.