title: Downregulation of IRF4 induces lytic reactivation of KSHV in primary effusion lymphoma cells.
abstract: Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), associated with the latent infection by KSHV, constitutively expresses interferon-regulatory factor 4 (IRF4). We recently showed that IRF4 differentially regulates expression of cellular interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and viral genes (Forero et al., 2013). Here, using inducible IRF4 knockdown, we demonstrate that IRF4 silencing results in enhanced transcription of KSHV replication transactivator RTA. As a result viral transcription is increased leading to virus reactivation. Taken together, our results show that IRF4 helps maintain the balance between latency and KSHV reactivation in PEL cells.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Virology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, USA.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Forero
authors.affiliation: Cancer Virology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: McCormick
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Frank J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.affiliation: Cancer Virology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, USA. Electronic address: saumen@pitt.edu.
authors.forename: Saumendra N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Sarkar
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D015536:Down-Regulation; D020868:Gene Silencing; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D050835:Interferon Regulatory Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017735:Virus Latency / Q000502:physiology*; D000099218:Interferon Regulatory Factor-4
chemical_list: D050835:Interferon Regulatory Factors; D000099218:Interferon Regulatory Factor-4
keywords: Interferon regulatory factor 4; Kaposi׳s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus; Primary effusion lymphoma