title: Differential expression of the HHV-8 vGCR cellular homolog gene in AIDS-associated and classic Kaposi's sarcoma: potential role of HIV-1 Tat.
abstract: Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) has been causally linked to Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). There is significant homology between some HHV-8 genes and cellular genes including D-type cyclin (vCYC), G protein coupled receptor (vGCR), macrophage inflammatory proteins (vMIP-I, vMIP-II), bcl-2 (vBCL2), interferon regulatory factor-1 (vIRF1), interleukin-6 (vIL6), and complement-binding protein (vCBP). In this study, we analyzed expression of these viral homologs and HIV-1 Tat by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) coupled with Southern blot hybridization in AIDS-KS (AKS) tissue, classic KS tissue(CKS), and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and phorbol ester (TPA)-treated and untreated HHV-8 positive lymphoma cells (BCBL1). While vCYC (AKS 6 of 6; CKS 3 of 3), vMIP-I (AKS 5 of 6, CKS 3 of 3), vBCL2 (AKS 6 of 6; CKS 3 of 3), and vIRF1 (AKS 5 of 6, CKS 3 of 3) transcripts were detected in both AKS and CKS, vGCR and HIV-1 Tat were expressed only in AKS samples (vGCR: AKS 3 of 6, CKS 0 of 3; Tat: AKS 4 of 6, CKS 0 of 3). vMIPII, vCBP, and vIL6 expression were not detected in any KS samples. Since vGCR expression is limited to AKS, it is possible that vGCR is activated by HIV-1 Tat. These results suggest that HIV-1 Tat may contribute to AKS pathogenesis through the tumorigenic and angiogenic effects of vGCR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yen-Moore
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Hudnall
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Rady
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: T O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Memar
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Tyring
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D056741:Cyclin D; D016213:Cyclins / Q000235:genetics; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D015696:Gene Products, tat / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D009857:Oncogenes / Q000235:genetics; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
chemical_list: D056741:Cyclin D; D016213:Cyclins; D015696:Gene Products, tat; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D014764:Viral Proteins; D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D012313:RNA; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate