The pathobiology of Kaposi’s sarcoma: advances since the onset of the AIDS epidemic

Abstract

The pathobiology of Kaposi's sarcoma: advances since the onset of the AIDS epidemicSince the perplexing early Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) observations at the dawn of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic, KS has been extensively studied, revealing a complex disease. The identification and complete elucidation of the genome of its causal agent, the KS-associated herpesvirus/human herpesvirus 8, have shed important insights into the pathobiology of this disease. The purpose of this review is to describe the scientific advances and understanding of KS over the past three decades.Horenstein MG, Moontasri NJ, Cesarman E. The pathobiology of Kaposi's sarcoma: advances since the onset of the AIDS epidemic.

Viral epigenomes in human tumorigenesis

“…In latency, the expression of viral genes is kept to the minimum to maintain the episome and to enable it to persist through cell replication cycles. In the lytic state, the virus reactivates the production of entire virions and lyses the newly infected host cells (Jenner et al, 2001;Dourmishev et al, 2003;zur Hausen, 2006;Horenstein et al, 2008).…”

Array-Based Transcript Profiling and Limiting-Dilution Reverse Transcription-PCR Analysis Identify Additional Latent Genes in Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus

“…Some analyses (6,30,48) have favored classifying it as a lytic gene, while others (47) suggest that it can be expressed in some PEL cells that do not stain for lytic markers, though these cells represented only 5% of all LANA ϩ cells. Most recent reviews, however, have not included v-IL-6 on the list of known latent genes (19,25,29,31).…”

Gastrointestinal tract spindle cell lesions—just like real estate, it's all about location

“…19 This virus, a member of the herpesvirus family, was named KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and later classified as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). 20 In subequatorial Africa, over 30% of the general population carries HHV-8 antibodies. Seropositivity for the virus ranges from 10 to 25% in the Mediterranean area.…”

“…Where KS is not endemic, the seroprevalence of HHV-8 is around 2-5%. 20 Evidence exists for saliva as a route of transmission. Transmission to children within families in endemic regions such as the Mediterranean and subequatorial Africa is not likely to be sexual, further supporting a salivary and close contact mode of transmission.…”

“…The role of a sexual route of transmission in the male homosexual population remains under debate. 20 When KS is seen in the GIT, the spindled component is often prominent, but it can be subtle in the stomach (Figures 3a and b). These cells form slit-like spaces that frequently contain red blood cells.…”