Human Herpesvirus Type 8 DNA Sequences in Cell-Free Plasma and Mononuclear Cells of Kaposi's Sarcoma Patients

Abstract

Human herpesvirus (HHV) type 8 has been detected in both classical and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, body-cavity lymphomas, and other types of tumors. HHV-8 has also been detected in DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of some Kaposi's sarcoma patients and more readily in B cell fractions derived from panned cell subpopulations. Two patients were followed using several methods; in situ hybridization, solution-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and in situ PCR. HHV-8 was intermittently detected in plasma, and detection correlated with detection in PBMC. In situ PCR demonstrated HHV-8 sequences in both peripheral blood B lymphocytes and, to a lesser extent, T lymphocytes. HHV-8 may undergo periods of viremia while at other times it is undetectable and infects circulating B cells and some T cells.

Human Herpesvirus-8 Infection of Primary Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Cells

“…For these experiments we were specifically interested in the interaction of the herpesvirus and the cultured endothelial cells, and wished to avoid the confounding effects of other contaminating cells on gene expression. For the apoptosis experiments, we hoped to generate conditions more analogous to the in vivo scenario, in which B cells are thought to harbor virus which then infects surrounding endothelial cells (41,53,54). The co-culture experiments resulted in a less robust infection (z 10-20%), but this may more closely mirror the in vivo scenario.…”

Effects of Chemotherapy in AIDS-Associated Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma on Kaposi's Sarcoma Herpesvirus DNA in Blood

“…[2][3][4][5][6][7] Viral DNA is detected in peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in cell-free blood (ie, plasma or serum). 8,9 As with other gammaherpesviruses, lymphocytes harbor latent virus in vivo.…”

Targeted inhibition of calcineurin signaling blocks calcium-dependent reactivation of Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus

“…[1][2][3][4][5] The detection of KSHV in peripheral blood leukocytes is strongly predictive of the future development of KS. [6][7][8][9] Circulating B cells form the major virus reservoir in blood, [10][11][12][13] though KSHV has been found in monocytes, CD8 ϩ T cells, and CD34 ϩ cells. 11,[14][15][16] Active replication in blood and subsequent plasma viremia likely disseminate the virus throughout the body, leading to infection of dermal lymphatic endothelial cells, which are believed to be precursor cells for KS.…”

“…[6][7][8][9] Circulating B cells form the major virus reservoir in blood, [10][11][12][13] though KSHV has been found in monocytes, CD8 ϩ T cells, and CD34 ϩ cells. 11,[14][15][16] Active replication in blood and subsequent plasma viremia likely disseminate the virus throughout the body, leading to infection of dermal lymphatic endothelial cells, which are believed to be precursor cells for KS. 5 Furthermore, in KS lesions, tumor spindle cells are latently infected by KSHV; a small subpopulation of lytically infected cells produces virus and lytic viral gene products, which may contribute to the maintenance or progression of KS lesions.…”