Article
Virology
Wei Zou, Michael J. Imperiale
Summary: BK polyomavirus is a virus that establishes a lifelong infection in most people. In transplant recipients with suppressed immune systems, uncontrolled virus replication can cause severe disease. The small T antigen of BK polyomavirus plays important roles in regulating viral replication, the innate immune response, apoptosis, and transformation.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Nannan Liu, Chenjian Gu, Yang Yang, Zixiang Gao, Ning Kang, Jing Liu, Youhua Xie
Summary: This study reports a method for the generation of circular viral genomes through DNA recombination in cells. It allows for simpler manipulation of the BKV genome and results in higher virus yield.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Dorian McIlroy, Cecile Peltier, My-Linh Nguyen, Louise Manceau, Lenha Mobuchon, Nicolas Le Baut, Ngoc-Khanh Nguyen, Minh-Chau Tran, The-Cuong Nguyen, Celine Bressollette-Bodin
Summary: Mutations in the BKPyV capsid accumulate in kidney transplant recipients, and are associated with neutralization escape. The mutations are mainly caused by cytosine deamination by APOBEC3A/B enzymes.
Article
Virology
Joshua L. Justice, Jason M. Needham, Brandy Verhalen, Mengxi Jiang, Sunnie R. Thompson
Summary: There are currently no therapeutics targeting BKPyV reactivation, and decreasing immunosuppression is the current treatment approach. This study found that the mismatch repair pathway is required for the activation of the DNA damage response during PyV infection. Silencing a component of the mismatch repair pathway resulted in severe DNA damage and reduced the number of infectious viral particles.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Amin Addetia, Quynh Phung, Benjamin T. Bradley, Michelle J. Lin, Haiying Zhu, Hong Xie, Meei-Li Huang, Alexander L. Greninger
Summary: A study has identified widespread genomic rearrangements in clinical urine specimens of BK and JC polyomaviruses, indicating the presence of defective viral genomes (DVGs) in DNA viruses in clinical settings. These DVGs are more commonly found in samples with higher viral loads and persist during infection without reaching clonality in the chronically infected host.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Lydia E. Hainley, Martina S. Hughson, Amithi Narendran, Ralph Smith, Justin Arthur, Alida Hayner-Buchan, David J. Conti, John M. Lehman, Thomas D. Friedrich
Summary: The BK polyomavirus, latent in the kidneys of most adults, can be reactivated in immunosuppressed states like after renal transplantation, leading to potential kidney damage. Reduction of immunosuppression has been effective in limiting BKPyV infection, but antiviral drugs are needed for better treatment. In this study, inhibition of the host DNA damage response was explored as a potential antiviral strategy, showing promising results in reducing BKPyV replication.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hanna K. Laine, Tim Waterboer, Kari Syrjanen, Seija Grenman, Karolina Louvanto, Stina Syrjanen
Summary: This study analyzed the seroprevalence and antibody levels of BKPyV and JCPyV in 327 pregnant women and their 132 spouses in Finland. The results showed that BKPyV and JCPyV infections were common in married couples, with slightly higher prevalence in women and stable antibody levels.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Virology
Griphin Ochieng Ochola, Bei Li, Vincent Obanda, Sheila Ommeh, Harold Ochieng, Xing-Lou Yang, Samson Omondi Onyuok, Zheng-Li Shi, Bernard Agwanda, Ben Hu
Summary: The study reveals the presence of diverse DNA viruses in rodent and shrew populations in Kenya, including novel polyomaviruses. These viruses showed distinction from previously described viruses and formed new clusters. The findings provide new insights into the genetic diversity and evolution of DNA viruses in small mammal reservoirs.
Article
Surgery
Kaitlin Nguyen, Adam Diamond, Antonio Di Carlo, Sunil Karhadkar
Summary: Retransplantation following BKVN-associated graft failure has been associated with favorable outcomes, and to maximize allograft lifespan in retransplantation, clinicians may consider selection of low KDPI donors, prevention of delayed graft function, and tailored immunosuppressive regimens that minimize steroids.
JOURNAL OF SURGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Fatemeh Nili, Maliheh Mohammadhoseini, Seyed Mohammadreza Khatami, Golnar Seirafi, Majidreza Haghzare
Summary: Early diagnosis and treatment of Polyomavirus BK Nephropathy (PVBKN) is challenging in kidney transplantation patients. Histopathologic diagnosis is the gold standard, but immunohistochemistry (IHC) can enhance diagnostic sensitivity for early detection. Routine IHC study for SV40 in transplanted kidney biopsy samples with new onset dysfunction will improve detection of early stage PVBKN.
Article
Immunology
Jingyu Wen, Rongcun Sun, Hongji Yang, Qing Ran, Yifu Hou
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of programmed monitoring of graft-derived cell-free DNA (GcfDNA) in identifying and predicting BK polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (BKPyVAN) in kidney transplant recipients. The results showed that Delta GcfDNA had a higher sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing BKPyVAN. Therefore, regular monitoring of plasma GcfDNA levels after kidney transplantation is recommended, and a novel algorithm based on the monitoring results has been developed for predicting BKPyVAN.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Su Woong Jung, Won-Hee Cho, Jung-Woo Seo, Yang-Gyun Kim, Ju-Young Moon, Jin Sug Kim, Chan-Duck Kim, Byung Ha Chung, Jae Berm Park, Yeong Hoon Kim, Sang-Ho Lee
Summary: Urine exosomal bkv-miR-B1-5p is associated with BK virus nephropathy and may serve as a predictive marker during the early posttransplant period.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Nathan A. Krump, Ranran Wang, Wei Liu, June F. Yang, Tongcui Ma, Jianxin You
Summary: MCPyV, which can cause Merkel cell carcinoma, infects most humans asymptomatically. Understanding MCPyV biology and its interaction with host immune response may help develop targeted therapies for MCC. MCPyV replication induces an innate immune response, involving cGAS-STING, NF-kappa B, and IFI16 pathways.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Aref-Abdolllah Aghebatrafat, Chris Lauber, Kevin Merkel, Barbara Fruth, Kevin Langergraber, Martha M. Robbins, Roman M. Wittig, Fabian H. Leendertz, Sebastien Calvignac-Spencer
Summary: By analyzing closely related viruses in African great apes, we have shown that the New Jersey polyomavirus has an ancient origin in humans, which explains its low prevalence in human populations.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Feng Yang, Xutao Chen, Hui Zhang, Guo-Dong Zhao, Huifei Yang, Jiang Qiu, Siyan Meng, Penghan Wu, Liang Tao, Qin Wang, Gang Huang
Summary: BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) infection has a significant impact on the prognosis of kidney transplant recipients, but effective antiviral treatment is currently lacking. This study demonstrated the renal-cell-type tropism of BKPyV, with proximal tubule cells being the most susceptible. Furthermore, the study identified potential antiviral targets and provided insights for the development of new treatment strategies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)