Identification of human herpesvirus 8-specific cytotoxic T-cell responses

J Virol. 1999 Jul;73(7):6136-40. doi: 10.1128/JVI.73.7.6136-6140.1999.

Abstract

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) (or Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus) is implicated in the etiopathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and certain lymphoproliferations. The introduction of more effective therapies to treat human immunodeficiency virus infection has led to a decline in the incidence of KS and also in the resolution of KS in those already affected. This suggests that cellular immune responses including cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) could play a vital role in the control of HHV-8 infection and in KS pathogenesis. Here we elucidate HLA class I-restricted, HHV-8-specific cellular immune responses that could be important in the control of HHV-8 infection and subsequent tumor development. We show the presence of CTLs against HHV-8 latent (K12), lytic (K8.1), and highly variable (K1) proteins in infected individuals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / immunology*
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / virology
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Cricetinae
  • Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Glycoproteins / immunology
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / immunology*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology
  • Humans
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral / immunology
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / immunology
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / virology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / immunology

Substances

  • Glycoproteins
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • K1 protein, Human herpesvirus 8
  • K8.1 protein, Human herpesvirus 8
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral
  • T0.7 protein, Human herpesvirus 8
  • Viral Proteins