Human herpesvirus-8/Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus is a new transmissible virus that infects B cells

J Exp Med. 1996 May 1;183(5):2385-90. doi: 10.1084/jem.183.5.2385.

Abstract

Herpesviral DNA fragments isolated from AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) tissue (KSHV-DNA) share homology with two lymphotropic oncogenic gamma-herpesviruses, Epstein-Barr virus and Herpesvirus saimiri, and are present in the lesions of more than 95% of HIV and non-HIV-associated forms of KS, AIDS-related body cavity-based lymphomas, and AIDS-related multicentric Castleman's disease. Here we show that BC-1, a KSHV-DNA-positive, body cavity-based lymphoma cell line, produces infective herpesviral particles carrying a linear 270-kb genome that specifically transmits KSHV-DNA to CD19+ B cells. Transmission of KSHV-DNA is dependent upon a biologically active, replicating virus, since it is blocked by UV irradiation and foscarnet, an inhibitor of viral DNA-polymerase. This study represents the first isolation and transmission of the human herpesvirus-8/KS-associated herpesvirus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications*
  • B-Lymphocytes / virology*
  • Blotting, Southern
  • Cell Line
  • DNA Probes
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Fetal Blood
  • Genome, Viral
  • Herpesviridae / classification*
  • Herpesviridae / isolation & purification
  • Herpesviridae / physiology*
  • Herpesvirus 2, Saimiriine / classification
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / classification
  • Humans
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / etiology
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / virology*

Substances

  • DNA Probes
  • DNA, Viral