A Colorado State University (CSU) study will look at how equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) compromises the immune system immediately upon entering the "gate" of a horse’s respiratory system–the airway and throat–allowing it to spread through the body and potentially cause neurological damage, abortion, and possibly death.

The study will specifically concentrate on the lining of the respiratory systems, called the epithelium, which keeps the airway moist and is a barrier to pathogens. The epithelial cells also serve a critical function in shaping the immunological response, including secreting chemicals to attack pathogens and determining and initiating the cascade of immune responses in the rest of the body.

"We believe that the herpesvirus finds a way to ‘hide’ from the immune response, and we also know that if an immune system doesn’t trigger a good response at the first sign of infection, viruses like this one take off," said Gabriele A. Landolt, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, assistant professor of equine medicine in the Department of Clinical Sciences and co-lead researcher on the project. "That combination of events may take place in the horse’s respiratory system, and if we can crack the equine herpesevirus secret to getting through that gateway and compromising the immune system at that point of entry, we may be better able to find treatments and preventative measures to stop outbreaks of the virus."

"The outcome of this research will also help scientists understand how herpes viruses in all species may impact immune systems," said Gisela Hussey, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences and co-leader of the project. "This study is innovative because it is the first study to focus on defining the immune responses at the respiratory epithelium and how the virus controls the immune system