Human cytomegalovirus induces monocyte differentiation and migration as a strategy for dissemination and persistence.
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) pathogenesis is characterized by multiple organ system involvement due to viral spread to host organs after a cell-associated viremia. The cell type responsible for HCMV dissemination is unknown. Monocytes are the most likely candidate since they are the predominant cell type infected in the blood. However, monocytes are not productive for viral replication and are abortively infected. The results presented here provide a potential answer to this conundrum. We report that primary HCMV infection of monocytes induces transendothelial migration and monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation and that these HCMV-differentiated macrophages are productive for viral replication. Together, our data suggest a novel mechanism for HCMV pathogenesis; HCMV induces cellular changes in monocytes to promote viral replication and spread to host organs.
Smith
M Shane
MS
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Molecular and Tumor Virology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana 71130-3932, USA.
Bentz
Gretchen L
GL
Alexander
J Steven
JS
Yurochko
Andrew D
AD
D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002465:Cell Movement; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology / Q000821:virology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000821:virology; D014779:Virus Replication