Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amanda de Oliveira Lopes, Pedro do Nascimento Marinho, Leticia d'Ambrosio de Souza Medeiros, Vanessa Salete de Paula
Summary: Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a virus containing oncogenes and proteins that play a crucial role in regulating cellular functions and leading to Kaposi's sarcoma. Some of these genes have the potential to be therapeutic targets for Kaposi's sarcoma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Virology
Yuan Fang, Wenli Li, Ying Zhang, Chang Zhou, Huanwu Wu, Yiting Zhang, Tao Dai, Jinzhi Wang, Lei Wang, Tongqing Chen, Yulin Zhu, Linding Wang
Summary: The seroprevalence of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is high in Gansu, China, especially among certain ethnic groups and syphilis patients.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Mariel Kleer, Grant MacNeil, Nancy Adam, Eric S. Pringle, Jennifer A. Corcoran
Summary: Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) expresses high levels of the kaposin transcript during both latent and lytic phases of replication. Previous reagents did not allow for methodical analysis of individual kaposin proteins in KSHV replication. This study created a panel of mutant viruses and cell lines that delete kaposin proteins individually or in combination, enabling precise analysis of their roles in KSHV replication. The findings provide molecular tools for further research on the contributions of kaposin proteins in KSHV infection.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Virology
Lindsey Barrett, Lu Dai, Shanzhi Wang, Zhiqiang Qin
Summary: This article summarizes how KSHV utilizes extracellular vesicles (EVs) to create favorable environments for viral spread and persistence while evading immune responses. EVs play a significant role in the development and function of the immune system.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qian Chen, Jiangtao Chen, Yuqing Li, Dawei Liu, Yan Zeng, Zheng Tian, Akbar Yunus, Yong Yang, Jie Lu, Xinghua Song, Yan Yuan
Summary: The prevalence of KSHV infection is significantly elevated in Uyghur osteosarcoma patients, with the virus being associated with some osteosarcomas. The study suggests that KSHV infection is a risk factor for osteosarcoma, representing a newly identified viral-associated endemic cancer.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Sophie Grabar, Dominique Costagliola
Summary: An air mattress is a non-breathable sleeping aid commonly used for camping or guests' accommodation.
Article
Microbiology
Yuki Iwaisako, Tadashi Watanabe, Mizuki Hanajiri, Yuichi Sekine, Masahiro Fujimuro
Summary: The KSHV ORF7 plays a key role in viral replication by regulating capsid formation, maintaining viral production, and promoting lytic replication through interactions with other terminase components.
Article
Microbiology
Krista Tuohinto, Terri P. DiMaio, Elina Kiss, Pirjo P. Laakkonen, Pipsa Saharinen, Tara P. Karnezis, Michael Lagunoff, Paivi M. P. Ojala
Summary: In this study, it was found that KSHV-infected lymphatic ECFCs could serve as progenitors of KS spindle cells and be a promising model for developing new therapies for KS.
Article
Microbiology
Tate Tabtieng, Rachel C. Lent, Machika Kaku, Alvaro Monago Sanchez, Marta Maria Gaglia
Summary: Type I interferons play a crucial role in infectious and inflammatory diseases. Viruses have developed strategies to suppress the production of type I interferons, and apoptotic caspases have emerged as important regulators of type I interferon signaling. This study reveals that caspase activity inhibits the DNA sensor cGAS during KSHV infection, blocking the antiviral type I interferon response. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms of viral immune evasion and can inform targeted therapeutic strategies for viral infections.
Review
Oncology
Aude Jary, Marianne Veyri, Adelie Gothland, Valentin Leducq, Vincent Calvez, Anne-Genevieve Marcelin
Summary: Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), is an oncogenic virus with a complex structure and genome, contributing to the development of Kaposi's sarcoma through a combination of lytic and latent phases. The virus encodes various oncogenic proteins that modulate cellular pathways to promote characteristics of cancer, such as inhibition of apoptosis, proliferation stimulation, angiogenesis, inflammation, and immune escape. Variations in seroprevalence and transmission routes worldwide play a role in the differing epidemiological forms of Kaposi's sarcoma.
Article
Biology
Jungang Chen, Lu Dai, Lindsey Barrett, Jennifer James, Karlie Plaisance-Bonstaff, Steven R. Post, Zhiqiang Qin
Summary: The study reveals that SARS-CoV-2 encoded proteins and some anti-COVID-19 drugs can induce lytic reactivation of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), increasing the risk of virus-associated cancers for KSHV-positive patients exposed to COVID-19 or undergoing its treatment, even after they have fully recovered from COVID-19.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yujun Liu, Yuan-Chuan Chen, Bin Yan, Fenyong Liu
Summary: In this study, ribozymes derived from RNase P catalytic RNA were engineered to target the mRNA encoding KSHV RTA. The functional ribozyme F-RTA efficiently sliced the RTA mRNA and suppressed KSHV production and gene expression. This study demonstrates the potential of RNase P ribozymes as a therapy against KSHV.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jinchuan Shi, Gaoxiang Ying, Zhongdong Zhang
Summary: In the treatment of AIDS patients with Kaposi's sarcoma, the reconstitution of immune function and consecutive chemotherapy with doxorubicin liposome are crucial. Early recognition and histopathological verification of general symptoms such as thrombocytopenia and hemorrhagic purple papules in AIDS patients are necessary to achieve early diagnosis of KS and timely clinical intervention.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Michiko Shimoda, Yuanzhi Lyu, Kang-Hsin Wang, Ashish Kumar, Hiroki Miura, Joshua F. Meckler, Ryan R. Davis, Chanikarn Chantarasrivong, Chie Izumiya, Clifford G. Tepper, Ken-ichi Nakajima, Joseph Tuscano, Gustavo Barisone, Yoshihiro Izumiya
Summary: The study demonstrates that a small peptide derived from the KSHV transactivator can effectively target MYC in cancer by attenuating its expression, reducing cell proliferation, and selectively killing cancer cells. This is achieved by blocking the recruitment of coactivator complexes (NCOA2, p300, and SWI/SNF proteins) to the MYC promoter. The viral peptide serves as a unique tool to control MYC activation, showing potential therapeutic benefits for MYC-dependent diseases such as cancers and autoimmune diseases.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Vickie A. Marshall, Nicholas C. Fisher, Charles A. Goodman, Elena M. Cornejo Castro, Isabella Liu, Sirish Khanal, Benjamin M. Holdridge, Abigail L. Thorpe, Nazzarena Labo, Kristen B. Stolka, Jennifer J. Hemingway-Foday, Mahamat Abassora, Paul N'Dom, Jennifer S. Smith, Neneh Sallah, Anne L. Palser, Paul Kellam, Brandon F. Keele, Denise Whitby
Summary: In sub-Saharan Africa, the endemicity of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and the resulting Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) pose significant public health challenges. This study conducted near full-length KSHV genome sequence analysis on samples from individuals in Cameroon, revealing unique polymorphisms, genotypic diversity, and evidence of recombination. However, no correlation was found between viral sequence variations and disease. This is the first study to systematically compare near full-length KSHV genome sequences between KS cases and controls in the same region.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Ryan P. McNamara, Dirk P. Dittmer
JOURNAL OF NEUROIMMUNE PHARMACOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Oncology
Erin G. Reid, Adrienne Suazo, Shelly Y. Lensing, Dirk P. Dittmer, Richard F. Ambinder, Frank Maldarelli, Robert J. Gorelick, David Aboulafia, Ronald Mitsuyasu, Mark A. Dickson, William Wachsman
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Dina Alzhanova, Kathleen Corcoran, Aubrey G. Bailey, Kristin Long, Sharon Taft-Benz, Rachel L. Graham, Grant S. Broussard, Mark Heise, Gabriele Neumann, Peter Halfmann, Yoshihiro Kawaoka, Ralph S. Baric, Blossom Damania, Dirk P. Dittmer
Summary: The research demonstrates the key role of the p53 transcription factor in cancer and the cell-intrinsic response to infections. The ORFEOME project suggests that every virus should encode functions that intersect the p53 signaling network. The experiments validate this hypothesis and identify two viral proteins that interact with p53.
Article
Immunology
Thomas A. Rasmussen, Lakshmi Rajdev, Ajantha Rhodes, Ashanti Dantanarayana, Surekha Tennakoon, Socheata Chea, Tim Spelman, Shelly Lensing, Rachel Rutishauser, Sonia Bakkour, Michael Busch, Janet D. Siliciano, Robert F. Siliciano, Mark H. Einstein, Dirk P. Dittmer, Elizabeth Chiao, Steven G. Deeks, Christine Durand, Sharon R. Lewin
Summary: The study tested the combination of anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapy in HIV-infected individuals with cancer, finding that the combination therapy increased HIV RNA levels and potentially eliminated cells containing replication-competent HIV.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Virology
Dina Alzhanova, James O. Meyo, Angelica Juarez, Dirk P. Dittmer
Summary: KSHV utilizes ORF45 as a novel inhibitor to disrupt p53 signaling, resulting in decreased p53 activity, cytoplasmic localization of p53, and reduced nuclear transcriptional activity.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Ricardo Rivera-Soto, Yi Yu, Dirk P. Dittmer, Blossom Damania
Summary: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a diverse group of hematological malignancies, with the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway playing a key role. Inhibiting Akt with molecules like miransertib and MK-4440 has shown to be effective in targeting NHL cell proliferation in a subtype-dependent manner. The combination of miransertib and sirolimus has synergistic effects on reducing cell proliferation in NHL, including both indolent and aggressive subtypes.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Justin T. Landis, Ryan Tuck, Yue Pan, Carson N. Mosso, Anthony B. Eason, Razia Moorad, J. Stephen Marron, Dirk P. Dittmer
Summary: This study explores the heterogeneity in viral transcription of KSHV-infected PEL at the single-cell level. It reveals the existence of multiple subpopulations within a single cell line and identifies viral interleukin-6 (IL-6)/K2 mRNA as a distinguishing feature. Additionally, a new phenotype displaying mesenchymal lineage-like characteristics is discovered.
Article
Virology
Razia Moorad, Angelica Juarez, Justin T. Landis, Linda J. Pluta, Megan Perkins, Avery Cheves, Dirk P. Dittmer
Summary: This study reports new genomes of KSHV and describes a method for detecting regions of the virus that cannot be covered by traditional methods. The analysis reveals that the currently circulating KSHV strains differ from those collected during the peak of the AIDS epidemic. This study is important for further research on this virus and vaccine design.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dirk P. P. Dittmer, Anthony B. B. Eason, Angelica Juarez
Summary: The purpose of this work is to review and analyze the impact of pandemics on biosafety practices. It examines the COVID-19 pandemic and previous pandemics from the perspective of a working virologist. The study finds that scaling down biosafety measures after a pandemic is equally important as scaling up during a pandemic. It also emphasizes the importance of considering preventive vaccines and therapeutic drugs in risk assessments for laboratory studies. Situational memory at personal and institutional levels, which can be supported by professional societies, is deemed necessary.
Review
Hematology
Megan V. Perkins, Sarah B. Joseph, Dirk P. Dittmer, Nigel Mackman
Summary: HIV infection has transitioned from a fatal disease to a chronic one managed by antiretroviral therapy. However, long-term HIV infection is associated with chronic inflammation, which can lead to cardiovascular disease and thrombosis. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms driving inflammation in PLWH and develop better therapies to reduce chronic inflammation and improve overall mortality.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Grant Broussard, Guoxin Ni, Zhigang Zhang, Qian Li, Patricio Cano, Dirk P. Dittmer, Blossom Damania
Summary: This study reveals that the barrier-to-autointegration factor 1 (BAF) is necessary for the reactivation of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) by suppressing the cGAS-STING signaling pathway. BAF destabilizes cGAS expression, leading to increased antiviral responses and decreased viral replication. BAF could be a potential target for treating viral infections and malignancies.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Virology
Blossom Damania, Dirk P. Dittmer
Summary: This review provides an overview of the diverse manifestations of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) under various circumstances. It discusses the historical background of KS and KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), highlights the clinical diversity of KS presentations, summarizes our understanding of the tumor's cell of origin, explores KSHV viral load as a potential biomarker for acute infections and KS-related complications, and discusses immune modulators that affect KSHV infection, persistence, and KS disease.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Erin G. Reid, Kelly Shimabukuro, Page Moore, Richard F. Ambinder, Jack D. Bui, Semi Han, Otoniel Martinez-Maza, Dirk P. Dittmer, David Aboula, Elizabeth Yu Chiao, Toby Maurer, Robert Baiocchi, Ronald Mitsuyasu, William Wachsman
Summary: Lenalidomide demonstrates efficacy and tolerability in patients with HIV-KS, making it a potential alternative to standard chemotherapy. Correlative studies suggest that the effects of lenalidomide on T-cell subsets and viral transcription may contribute to its therapeutic effects.
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ryan P. McNamara, Anthony B. Eason, Yijun Zhou, Rachele Bigi, Jack D. Griffith, Lindsey M. Costantini, Michelle A. Rudek, Nicole M. Anders, Blossom A. Damania, Dirk P. Dittmer
Summary: Extracellular vesicles, or exosomes, have a crucial role in tumor growth and metastasis. By loading tumor-derived EVs with chemotherapeutic drugs, researchers have observed a conversion from a pro-tumor/pro-angiogenic phenotype to an anti-tumor phenotype in vivo. The drugs in EVs have a significantly higher concentration than clinically approved liposome formulation due to the presence of miRNAs, which increases the payload capacity of nanoparticles. Targeting tumor-derived EVs allows for the specific poisoning of cells and the microenvironment involved in metastasis.
ACS BIO & MED CHEM AU
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Meredith G. Chambers, Ryan P. McNamara, Dirk P. Dittmer
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by all cell types and play a crucial role in cell signaling and homeostasis. Super-resolution microscopy has been developed as a visualization method for EVs, allowing for precise resolution of their three-dimensional structure.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2021)
