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Profiling the blood compartment of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant patients during Human Cytomegalovirus reactivation

ABSTRACT: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) reactivation is a leading infectious cause of morbidity and mortality in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients. HCMV reactivation is characterized by detection of viral DNA in the blood (DNAemia), however, the role of the blood compartment during HCMV reactivation is not well characterized. Using powerful molecular tools, we characterized HCMV infection in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) during DNAemia in HCMV reactivating HSCT patients. Surprisingly we found that all PBMC populations harbored extremely low levels of viral DNA and extremely low levels of viral transcripts. Remarkably, the viral transcripts detected in these samples were mainly immediate early genes indicating that these cells do not go through a full productive cycle. Analysis of the cellular transcriptome revealed characteristic transcriptional changes in high DNAemic samples implying the development of HCMV-specific T cells and inhibition of regulatory T cell function. Overall, our data indicate that DNAemia in HCMV reactivating HSCT patients is associated with distinct immune signatures but is not necessarily accompanied by substantial infection of PBMCs, and that PBMCs are not productively infected. These findings are important for understanding the role of the blood compartment in progression and control of HCMV during reactivation.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE161752 | GEO | 2020/11/18

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Abstract: The transcriptional program associated with herpesvirus latency and the viral genes regulating entry into and exit from latency are poorly understood and controversial. Here, we developed and validated a targeted enrichment platform and conducted large-scale transcriptome analyses of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. We used both an experimental hematopoietic cell model of latency, and cells from naturally infected, healthy human subjects (clinical) to define the breadth of viral genes expressed. The viral transcriptome derived from experimental infection was highly correlated with that from clinical infection, validating our experimental latency model. These transcriptomes revealed a broader profile of gene expression during infection in hematopoietic cells than previously appreciated. Further, using recombinant viruses that establish a non-reactivating, latent-like or replicative infection in CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors (HPCs), we defined classes of low to moderately expressed genes that are differentially regulated in latent vs. replicative states of infection. Most of these genes have yet to be studied in depth. By contrast, genes that were highly expressed, were expressed similarly in both latent and replicative infection. From these findings, a model emerges whereby low or moderately expressed genes may have the greatest impact on regulating the switch between viral latency and replication. The core set of viral genes expressed in natural infection and differentially regulated depending on the pattern of infection provides novel insight into the HCMV transcriptome associated with latency in the host and a resource for investigating new virus-host interactions underlying persistence. Significance: Herpesviruses have an extraordinarily complex relationship with their host, persisting for the lifetime of the host by way of a latent infection. Reactivation of replication is associated with significant disease risk, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. We characterize in depth transcriptional profiles of HCMV latency. We show that a broad and concordant viral transcriptome is found in both an experimental model of latency and in asymptomatically infected individuals. We further define genes that are differentially regulated during latent and replicative states- candidates for key regulators controlling the switch between latency and reactivation. This work will help understand the persistence of complex DNA viruses and provides a path towards developing antiviral strategies to control herpesvirus entry into and exit from latency.

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Profiling the blood compartment of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant patients during Human Cytomegalovirus reactivation

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