title: Transcription of the human cytomegalovirus natural killer decoy gene, UL18, in vitro and in vivo.
abstract: Multiplex RT-PCR analysis of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication in human fibroblasts showed transcription of the natural killer (NK) cell decoy gene, UL18, from 72 h onwards. Transcription of glycoprotein B (gpUL55; a late gene) occurred from early time-points and peaked at 24 h post-infection. UL18 mRNA was also detected in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of organ transplant recipients with HCMV viraemia, especially those with HCMV DNA virus loads greater than 10(5) genomes/ml whole blood. Thus, UL18 is produced via a low abundance transcript late during the infectious cycle at a time coincidental with the increased risk of NK cell lysis as a consequence of class I HLA down-regulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Hassan-Walker
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Cope
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: V C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Emery
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005814:Genes, Viral; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014181:Transplantation Immunology; D014766:Viremia / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006680:HLA Antigens; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral