Differentiated neuroblastoma cells provide a highly efficient model for studies of productive varicella-zoster virus infection of neuronal cells

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a highly species-specific herpesvirus that targets sensory ganglionic neurons. This species specificity has limited the study of many aspects of VZV pathogenesis, including neuronal infection. We report development of a highly efficient neuroblastoma cell model to study productive VZV infection of neuronal cells. We show that differentiation of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells yields a homogenous population of neuron-like cells that are permissive to the full VZV replicative cycle. These cells supported productive infection by both laboratory and clinical VZV isolates, including the live varicella vaccine. This model may enable rapid identification of genetic determinants facilitating VZV neurotropism.