Single cell analysis reveals human cytomegalovirus drives latently infected cells towards an anergic-like monocyte state.

ABSTRACT: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) causes a lifelong infection through establishment of latency. Although reactivation from latency can cause life-threatening disease, our molecular understanding of HCMV latency is incomplete. Here we use single cell RNA-seq analysis to characterize latency in monocytes and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). In monocytes, we identify host cell surface markers that enable enrichment of latent cells harboring higher viral transcript levels, which can reactivate more efficiently, and are characterized by reduced intrinsic immune response that is important for viral gene expression. Significantly, in latent HSPCs, viral transcripts could be detected only in monocyte progenitors and were also associated with reduced immune-response. Overall, our work in

SUBMITTER: Shnayder M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7039680 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature