Lymphatic reprogramming of blood vascular endothelium by Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus

Nat Genet. 2004 Jul;36(7):683-5. doi: 10.1038/ng1383. Epub 2004 Jun 27.

Abstract

Kaposi sarcoma is considered a neoplasm of lymphatic endothelium infected with Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus. It is characterized by the expression of lymphatic lineage-specific genes by Kaposi sarcoma tumor cells. Here we show that infection of differentiated blood vascular endothelial cells with Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus leads to their lymphatic reprogramming; induction of approximately 70% of the main lymphatic lineage-specific genes, including PROX1, a master regulator of lymphatic development; and downregulation of blood vascular genes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cells, Cultured
  • Down-Regulation
  • Endothelium / metabolism
  • Endothelium / pathology*
  • Endothelium / virology
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / physiology*
  • Lymphatic Vessels / metabolism
  • Lymphatic Vessels / pathology*
  • Lymphatic Vessels / virology