Project description:Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) is a complex tumor caused by KS-associated herpesvirus 8 (KSHV). Histological analysis reveals a mixture of “spindle cells”, vascular-like spaces, extravasated erythrocytes, and immune cells. In order to elucidate the infected and uninfected cell types in KS tumors, we examined twenty-five skin and blood samples from sixteen subjects by single cell RNA sequence analyses. Two populations of KSHV-infected cells were identified, one of which represented a CD34-negative proliferative fraction of endothelial cells, and the second representing CD34-positive cells expressing endothelial genes found in a variety of cell types including high endothelial venules, fenestrated capillaries, and endothelial tip cells. Although both infected clusters contained cells expressing lytic and latent KSHV genes, the CD34+ cells expressed more K5 and less K12. Novel cellular biomarkers were identified in the KSHV infected cells, including the sodium channel SCN9A. The number of KSHV positive cells was found to be less than 10% of total tumor cells in all samples and correlated inversely with tumor-infiltrating immune cells. T-cell receptor clones were expanded in KS tumors and blood, although in differing magnitudes. Changes in cellular composition in KS tumors after treatment with antiretroviral therapy alone, or immunotherapy were noted. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of single cell analyses to identify prognostic and predictive biomarkers.
Project description:Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a tumor caused by Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). Unlike other virus-associated tumors, where disease progression often continues even after viral eradication, KS requires the persistent presence of KSHV for disease progression. This unique dependency underscores the potential of strategies targeting the virus to also target the tumor. This study aims to characterize the expression of KSHV viral proteins and identify factors associated with differences in viral gene expression, ultimately formulating treatment targets.
Project description:Assessment of the effect of Kaposi-sarcoma herpesvirus upon the transcriptome of lymphatic endothelial cells and its contribution to the transcriptome of Kaposi sarcoma.
Project description:Identification of the relationships of Kaposi sarcoma (KS), normal skin to various cell cultures. The effects of KS herpes virus, the infectious cause of KS, on infected endothelial cells are also investigated.
Project description:The development of a prophylactic vaccine for Kaposi sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus (KSHV) would prevent consequences from infection including disorders such as Kaposi sarcoma and primary effusion lymphoma. Here, we study the immunogenicity of noninfectious virus-like vesicles (VLVs) of KSHV as a potential future vaccine platform. VLVs present a repertoire of viral structural proteins but are noninfectious due to a defect in capsid formation that prevents viral DNA packaging. Immunization of mice with adjuvanted VLVs results in virus-specific antibodies and T cells. These antibodies neutralize viral infection, and this neutralization is enhanced by the complement system. Complement-enhanced neutralization is dependent on antibodies targeting the SCR region of viral ORF4. However, this activity was not present in serum from KSHV-infected humans. Our study highlights an important role of antibody effector functions in the development of a future KSHV vaccine