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HHV-8 (KSHV) does not establish latency in prostate cancer cell lines
1Division of Hematology, UCLA Cedars Sinai Medical Center, USA. munker@gsf.de
The Prostate
|December 16, 1997
Summary
Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) was investigated for its role in prostate cancer. Studies found no evidence of HHV-8 expression or infection in prostate cancer cell lines, suggesting limited tissue tropism.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and lymphoproliferative diseases.
- Previous reports suggested the presence of HHV-8 in normal prostate tissue.
- The potential role of HHV-8 in prostate cancer remained unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of HHV-8 in prostate cancer cell lines.
- To determine if HHV-8 can infect and establish latency in prostate cancer cells.
- To assess the potential involvement of HHV-8 in prostate cancer pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Reverse-transcriptase PCR was used to detect HHV-8 gene expression (ORF 72, 73, 74, 75).
- Prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, DU-145, PC-3) were co-cultured with HHV-8-infected lymphoid cell lines.
- Viral gene induction was attempted using butyrate and phorbol esters.
Main Results:
- Prostate cancer cell lines showed no baseline expression of HHV-8 viral gene products.
- Co-culture experiments failed to infect the prostate cancer cell lines with HHV-8.
- No evidence of HHV-8 latency was established in any experimental condition.
Conclusions:
- The findings argue against the involvement of HHV-8 in prostate cancer.
- HHV-8 appears to have a limited tissue tropism, not including prostate cancer cells.
- Further research may be needed to fully elucidate HHV-8's tissue specificities.