KSHV: pathways to tumorigenesis and persistent infection

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Oncology
• Immunology

Background:

• Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), or human herpesvirus 8, is linked to Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and multicentric Castleman's disease.
• KSHV-associated cancers are a growing global health issue, particularly with the ongoing AIDS epidemic and the prevalence of immunosuppression.
• The virus is also implicated in various acute inflammatory conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the diseases associated with KSHV infection.
• To explore the biological mechanisms of KSHV's latent and lytic life cycles.
• To examine KSHV proteins and microRNAs involved in host cell transformation and immune evasion.

Main Methods:

• This chapter synthesizes existing research and literature on KSHV.
• It involves a detailed discussion of viral biology, pathogenesis, and molecular mechanisms.
• No new experimental data were generated; this is a review chapter.

Main Results:

• KSHV exhibits distinct latent and lytic life cycles, enabling persistence.
• Viral proteins and small RNAs contribute to host cell transformation.
• KSHV employs various strategies to evade the host immune system, ensuring lifelong infection.

Conclusions:

• Understanding KSHV's complex biology is crucial for managing associated diseases.
• KSHV's ability to manipulate host cells and evade immunity underlies its pathogenicity.
• Further research into KSHV-specific proteins and microRNAs may reveal therapeutic targets.