HCMV-encoded UL128 enhances TNF-α and IL-6 expression and promotes PBMC proliferation through the MAPK/ERK pathway in vitro.

ABSTRACT: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection enhances expression of several cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and IL-8, to the benefit of virus replication and dissemination. However, the stimulus for certain cytokine production remains unclear. CMV encodes a series of proteins that alter and/or mimic functions of leukocyte migration, activation, and cytokine responses. Our study revealed that human CMV (HCMV)-encoded UL128 protein, which contains signal peptides and has similar amino acid sequences to the CC chemokine, recruits monocytes as human β chemokine (microphage inflammatory protein 1α). Using RNA interference technology, we constructed an HCMV (UL128⁺/UL128⁻)-infected tissue cell (MRC-5) and per

SUBMITTER: Zheng Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3318925 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature