Primary characterization of a herpesvirus agent associated with Kaposi's sarcomae.

TitlePrimary characterization of a herpesvirus agent associated with Kaposi's sarcomae.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1996
AuthorsMoore PS, Gao SJ, Dominguez G, Cesarman E, Lungu O, Knowles DM, Garber R, Pellett PE, McGeoch DJ, Chang Y
JournalJ Virol
Volume70
Issue1
Pagination549-58
Date Published1996 Jan
ISSN0022-538X
KeywordsAmino Acid Sequence, Animals, Base Sequence, Cell Line, Cohort Studies, DNA, Viral, Gammaherpesvirinae, Genome, Viral, HIV Antibodies, Humans, Lymphoma, AIDS-Related, Molecular Sequence Data, Phylogeny, Sarcoma, Kaposi, Tumor Cells, Cultured
Abstract

Detection of novel DNA sequences in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and AIDS-related body cavity-based, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas suggests that these neoplasms are caused by a previously unidentified human herpesvirus. We have characterized this agent using a continuously infected B-lymphocyte cell line derived from an AIDS-related lymphoma and a genomic library made from a KS lesion. In this cell line, the agent has a large episomal genome with an electrophoretic mobility similar to that of 270-kb linear DNA markers during clamped homogeneous electric field gel electrophoresis. A 20.7-kb region of the genome has been completely sequenced, and within this region, 17 partial and complete open reading frames are present; all except one have sequence and positional homology to known gammaherpesvirus genes, including the major capsid protein and thymidine kinase genes. Phylogenetic analyses using both single genes and combined gene sets demonstrated that the agent is a gamma-2 herpesvirus (genus Rhadinovirus) and is the first member of this genus known to infect humans. Evidence for transient viral transmission from infected to uninfected cells is presented, but replication-competent virions have not been identified in infected cell lines. Sera from patients with KS have specific antibodies directed against antigens of infected cell lines, and these antibodies are generally absent in sera from patients with AIDS without KS. These studies define the agent as a new human herpesvirus provisionally assigned the descriptive name KS-associated herpesvirus; its formal designation is likely to be human herpesvirus 8.

DOI10.1128/JVI.70.1.549-558.1996
Alternate JournalJ Virol
PubMed ID8523568
PubMed Central IDPMC189843
Grant ListCA67391 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
CCU210852 / / PHS HHS / United States
Related Faculty: 
Ethel Cesarman, M.D., Ph.D.

Pathology & Laboratory Medicine 1300 York Avenue New York, NY 10065 Phone: (212) 746-6464
Surgical Pathology: (212) 746-2700