KSHV manipulates Notch signaling by DLL4 and JAG1 to alter cell cycle genes in lymphatic endothelia

PLoS Pathog. 2009 Oct;5(10):e1000616. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000616. Epub 2009 Oct 9.

Abstract

Increased expression of Notch signaling pathway components is observed in Kaposi sarcoma (KS) but the mechanism underlying the manipulation of the canonical Notch pathway by the causative agent of KS, Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV), has not been fully elucidated. Here, we describe the mechanism through which KSHV directly modulates the expression of the Notch ligands JAG1 and DLL4 in lymphatic endothelial cells. Expression of KSHV-encoded vFLIP induces JAG1 through an NFkappaB-dependent mechanism, while vGPCR upregulates DLL4 through a mechanism dependent on ERK. Both vFLIP and vGPCR instigate functional Notch signalling through NOTCH4. Gene expression profiling showed that JAG1- or DLL4-stimulated signaling results in the suppression of genes associated with the cell cycle in adjacent lymphatic endothelial cells, indicating a role for Notch signaling in inducing cellular quiescence in these cells. Upregulation of JAG1 and DLL4 by KSHV could therefore alter the expression of cell cycle components in neighbouring uninfected cells during latent and lytic phases of viral infection, influencing cellular quiescence and plasticity. In addition, differences in signaling potency between these ligands suggest a possible complementary role for JAG1 and DLL4 in the context of KS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • Cell Cycle / genetics*
  • Cell Cycle / physiology*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiology*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / virology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / physiology*
  • Jagged-1 Protein
  • Lymphatic System / cytology
  • Lymphatic System / physiology*
  • Lymphatic System / virology
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology*
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Receptor, Notch4
  • Receptors, Notch / genetics
  • Receptors, Notch / physiology*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / genetics
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / virology*
  • Serrate-Jagged Proteins
  • Signal Transduction
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • DLL4 protein, human
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • JAG1 protein, human
  • Jagged-1 Protein
  • Membrane Proteins
  • NOTCH4 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptor, Notch4
  • Receptors, Notch
  • Serrate-Jagged Proteins