title: Raf-induced vascular endothelial growth factor augments Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection.
abstract: Recombinant green fluorescent protein encoding Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (rKSHV.152) infection of beta-estradiol stimulated human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) or HFF/DeltaB-Raf([FF]):ER (expressing a weaker form of B-Raf) could be enhanced to levels comparable to that of HFF/DeltaB-Raf([DD]):ER cells by pretreating cells with soluble vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Conversely, VEGF expression and infection efficiency typically observed in beta-estradiol stimulated HFF/DeltaB-Raf([DD]):ER cells could be lowered significantly by treating with VEGF small interfering RNA. In addition, we observed enhancement of the KSHV infection in HFF cells transfected with human VEGF(121). These results confirm the ability of Raf-induced VEGF to augment KSHV infection of cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA.
authors.forename: Khalief E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Hamden
authors.forename: Patrick W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: Audy G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Whitman
authors.forename: Ossie F
authors.initials: OF
authors.lastname: Dyson
authors.forename: Shi-Yuan
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McCubrey
authors.forename: Shaw M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Akula
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000494:pharmacology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000502:physiology*; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000502:physiology; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000502:physiology; D048490:raf Kinases / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2; D048490:raf Kinases