Figure 4

Following disruption of the TG-resident CD8⁺ T cell population via stress and corticosterone treatment, repopulation occurs independent of proliferation. Latenly infected mice received 4 days of restraint stress and corticosterone-treated drinking water (400 ¿g/ml), followed by 1.5, 2, and 4 days of fresh water. TGs were harvested and stained with CD8¿, CD45, and gB-specific T cells receptor. (A) The numbers of CD8¿⁺ cells and CD8¿⁺gB⁺ were quantified via flow cytometry. Data shown are the means and standard errors for 7 (time point 0), 5 (time point 1.5), and 12 (time point 4) mice from two independent experiments. (B) RT-PCR of DNA from ganglia and corneas shows increased gH copies after stress and corticosterone treatment. gH copies peak in the TG at 4 days after stress and corticosterone while detectable viral burden in the cornea peaks at 2 days after fresh water (Fisher's exact test). RT-PCR of DNA from corneas shows increased detectable gH copies 2 days after stress and corticosterone treatment ended. TG data represents means and standard errors from 6 mice (No stress and day zero) or 2 mice (day two and four). (C) BrdU was given intraperitoneally (i.p.) 12 hours after fresh water. TG were then harvested 1.5 days after stress and stained for CD8¿, CD45, gB-specific T cell receptor, and BrdU incorporation. Data represent means and standard error of 9 mice from 2 experiments.