title: HHEX: A Crosstalker between HCMV Infection and Proliferation of VSMCs.
abstract: Objective:The study was designed to evaluate the role of Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection on homebox (HOX) gene expression and the effects of overexpression of HOX genes on proliferation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).Methods:Viral infection was verified by observation of cytopathic effects through inverted microscopy, viral particles by electron microscopy and HCMV IE gene amplification by RT-PCR. cDNA profiling technology was used to screen expression of HOX genes after HCMV infection in VSMCs. Abnormal expression of Haematopoietically-expressed homeobox (HHEX) was selected to construct over-expressed vector and transfected into VSMCs. The effects of over expression of HHEX on cell proliferation and apoptosis of VSMCs were assayed by flow cytometry. Apoptosis and proliferation-associated genes were also assayed by RT-PCR.Results:Multiple HOX gene expression levels had obvious changes after HCMV infection, among which expression of HHEX gene increased obviously at 24, 48, and 72 h after infection. Over expression of HHEX can promote VSMCs proliferation by promoting G0/G1 phase cells into S phase and inhibit VSMCs apoptosis. HHEX inhibited the expression of apoptosis-associated caspase 2 and caspase3 and promoted the expression of cell cycle-related genes such as CDK2 and CDK6, CyclinB2 and CyclinD2.Conclusion:HHEX over expression induced by HCMV infection closely associated with vascular proliferative diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vasculocardiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Lingfang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Meitong
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Leitao
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Yifan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Ziyu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Shuiping
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Liyu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Yurong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Guojun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000473:pathology*; D032390:Myoblasts, Smooth Muscle / Q000502:physiology* / Q000821:virology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C078492:HHEX protein, human; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors
keywords: HOX gene; VSMCs; haematopoietically expressed HOX; human cytomegalovirus; vascular proliferative diseases