Herpesvirus and retrovirus interaction

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Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2001 Jun;125(6):785-9.

Induction of human immunodeficiency virus 1 replication by human

herpesvirus 8.

Mercader M, Nickoloff BJ, Foreman KE. Department of Pathology and

Skin Cancer Research Laboratories, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola

University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1)-infected individuals

are commonly infected with herpesviruses, including cytomegalovirus, herpes

simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, and human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8, also

known as Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus [KSHV]). Previous studies

have demonstrated that coinfection with herpesviruses can modulate HIV-1

replication. This can occur either through direct interaction between the 2

viruses or through secondary effects resulting from the release of cellular

factors in response to infection. OBJECTIVE: To investigate HIV-1

replication in the presence and absence of HHV-8. DESIGN AND METHODS: HIV-1

replication was analyzed following culture of HIV-1-infected CD4(+) T cells

in the presence of HHV-8 infected B-cell lines or control, uninfected B-cell

lines. To confirm and extend the results of these in vitro studies,

HIV-1-infected T cells were injected into human skin transplanted onto

severe combined immunodeficient mice. The human skin was also injected with

purified HHV-8 or phosphate-buffered saline as a control and HIV replication

measured in biopsy specimens taken 5 to 8 days later. RESULTS AND

CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated a significant increase in HIV-1

replication in the presence of HHV-8 in both the in vitro and in vivo model

systems. Although the mechanism responsible for HHV-8 induction of HIV-1

replication remains to be identified, the results indicate that these 2

viruses may interact at the molecular level in coinfected patients,

resulting in increased HIV-1 viral load. PMID: 11371231

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