Mechanisms of human cytomegalovirus persistence and latency.

Michael A. Jarvis, Jay A. Nelson

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous beta-herpesvirus that causes severe disease primarily in immunosuppressed individuals. A major characteristic of HCMV with obvious clinical importance is the ability of the virus to establish lifelong infection within the host following the initial acute infection. One strategy used by HCMV to maintain itself within the host is the establishment of cellular sites of persistent infection and viral latency. Recent studies have identified endothelial cells and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) as sites of HCMV persistence and latency. These studies show that endothelial cell origin and MDM differentiation pathway are critical factors that influence the characteristics of HCMV replication in these cell types. The specific HCMV genes involved in endothelial cell and MDM tropism are unknown. However, studies in the closely related murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) model have provided considerable insight into viral genes that enable replication in these cell types. This review will focus on mechanisms of HCMV replication in endothelial cells and MDM, and on the viral genes involved in regulation of viral replication in these important cell types.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)d1575-1582
JournalFrontiers in bioscience : a journal and virtual library
Volume7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2002

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Immunology and Microbiology

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