U94 of human herpesvirus 6 inhibits in vitro angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Dec 1;106(48):20446-51. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0905535106. Epub 2009 Nov 16.

Abstract

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a lymphotropic virus, but recent observations showed that also vascular endothelial cells (ECs) are susceptible to infection, both in vivo and in vitro. The observation that lymph nodes are a site of viral persistence suggests that lymphatic ECs (LECs) might be even more relevant for HHV-6 biology than vascular ECs. Here, we provide evidence that HHV-6 can infect LECs in vitro and establish a latent infection. Thus HHV-6 infection induces the loss of angiogenic properties both in LECs and in vascular ECs, as shown by the inability to form capillary-like structures and to seal wound scratches. The antiangiogenic effects observed in infected cells are associated to the expression of HHV-6 U94/rep, a latency-associated gene. In fact, transfection of U94/rep or addition of recombinant U94/REP protein to ECs inhibits the formation of in vitro capillary-like structures, reduces migration of ECs, and blocks angiogenesis, rendering rat aortic rings insensitive to VEGF-induced vasculogenetic activity. The ability of U94/rep to block different angiogenetic steps may lead to approaches in the potential control of the proliferation of blood and lymphatic vessels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Aorta / cytology
  • Aorta / metabolism
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Endothelial Cells / physiology
  • Endothelial Cells / virology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / metabolism*
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Lymphangiogenesis / physiology*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Rats
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / physiology*

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • DNA Primers
  • Viral Proteins