Evaluation of the UL111A transcripts expression in HCMV latent infected cells and determination of immunologic properties of the vIL10 proteins in dendritic cells

Abstract

The Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous agent highly prevalent worldwide. HCMV is able to persist in a latent stage in the host for life and can cause serious diseases in immunosuppressed and newborns. It is known that during latency various cellular proteins are expressed in order to avoid immune survailance. However the molecular mechanisms of establishment of latency and reactivation are not well known. HCMV has an homologue of the human interleukin 10, denominated vIL-10. Two vIl-10 isoforms denominated cmvIl-10 and LAcmvIl-10 are expressed during litic replication and latency. LAcmvIL-10 has functions of immune evasion during latency. In addition , there are five transcrits (vIL-10 C to G) produced during litic infection, reported in a single study. There are no studies regarding expression of these transscripts during latent infection, especially in CD14 + and CD34+ cells which are the ideal models used for studies of HCMV latency. Besides, little is known about the immunologic properties of these isoforms (vIL-10 C to G). The goals of this project are to investigate the expression of the vIL10 transcrits during HCMV latent infection and to analyze the immunologic properties of the isofroms A, B, C, D, E, F and G in dendritic cells.