Cytomegalovirus Infection Causes an Increase of Arterial Blood Pressure

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000427
• Publication Date: 2009-05-14T20:47:52Z
• Authors: Jilin Cheng; Qingen Ke; Zhuang Jin; Haibin Wang; Olivier Kocher; James P. Morgan; Jielin Zhang; Clyde S. Crumpacker
• Keywords: Betaherpesvirinae; Cytomegalovirus

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a common in adults (seropositive 60–99% globally), and associated with cardiovascular diseases, line risk factors such as hypertension atherosclerosis. Several viral infections are linked to hypertension, including human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) HIV-1. The mechanisms of how contributes or increased blood pressure not defined. In this report, the role CMV cause forming aortic atherosclerotic plaques examined. Using vivo mouse model vitro molecular biology analyses, we find that alone caused significant increase arterial (ABp) (p<0.01∼0.05), measured by microtip catheter technique. This (MCMV) was independent plaque formation aorta, defined histological analyses. MCMV DNA detected vessel samples infected mice but control nested PCR assay. significantly expression pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1 serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). quantitative real time reverse transcriptase (Q-RT-PCR) Western blot, stimulated renin cells an infectious dose-dependent manner. Co-staining immunofluorescent microscopy analyses showed at single cell level. Further examination angiotensin-II (Ang II) tissues ELISA Ang II infection. Consistent findings trial, (HCMV) endothelial (EC) induced non-lytic Viral replication kinetics active, persistent EC genes might underpin mechanism. These results show factor for pressure, co-factor may underlie Control can be developed restrict atherosclerosis system.