BK Virus Replication in the Glomerular Vascular Unit: Implications for BK Virus Associated Nephropathy.

ABSTRACT: BK polyomavirus (BKV) reactivates from latency after immunosuppression in renal transplant patients, resulting in BKV-associated nephropathy (BKVAN). BKVAN has emerged as an important cause of graft dysfunction and graft loss among transplant patients. BKV infection in kidney transplant patients has increased over recent decades which correlates with the use of more potent immunosuppressive therapies. BKV infection of the Glomerular Vascular Unit (GVU) consisting of podocytes, mesangial cells, and glomerular endothelial cells could lead to glomerular inflammation and contribute to renal fibrosis. The effects of BKV on GVU infectivity have not been reported. We infected GVU cells with the Dunlop strain of BKV. Viral infectivity was analyzed by microscopy, immunofluorescence, Western blot an

SUBMITTER: Popik W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6669441 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature