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Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Identifying Dysregulated Genes Induced by Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus (KSHV)
Published on: September 14, 2010
Lytic replication-defective Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus: potential role in infection and malignant
Jian-Hong Deng1, Yan-Jin Zhang, Xin-Ping Wang
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
Abstract:
Defective viruses often have pivotal roles in virus-induced diseases. Although Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is etiologically associated with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), defective KSHV has not been reported. Using differential genetic screening methods, we show that defective KSHV is present in KS tumors and PEL cell lines. To investigate the role of defective viruses in KSHV-induced pathogenesis, we isolated and characterized a lytic replication-defective KSHV, KV-1, containing an 82-kb genomic deletion of solely lytic genes. Cells harboring KV-1 escaped G(0)/G(1) apoptosis induced by spontaneous lytic replication occurred in cells infected with regular KSHV but maintained efficient latent replication. Consequently, KV-1-infected cells had phenotypes of enhanced cell proliferation and transformation potentials. Importantly, KV-1 was packaged as infectious virions by using regular KSHV as helpers, and KV-1-like variants were detected in cultures of two of five KSHV cell lines and 1 of 18 KS tumors. These results point to a potential role for defective viruses in the regulation of KSHV infection and malignant transformation.
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