Transgenic Expression of the Chemokine Receptor Encoded by Human Herpesvirus 8 Induces an Angioproliferative Disease Resembling Kaposi's Sarcoma

• DOI: 10.1084/jem.191.3.445
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T16:48:54Z
• Authors: Tong-Yuan Yang; Shu-Cheng Chen; Michael W. Leach; Denise Manfra; Bernhard Homey; Maria Wiekowski; Lee Sullivan; Chung-Her Jenh; Satwant K. Narula; Stephen W. Chensue; Sergio A. Lira
• Keywords: Kaposi's sarcoma; Pathogenesis

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8, also known as Kaposi's sarcoma [KS]-associated herpesvirus) has been implicated an etiologic agent for KS, angiogenic tumor composed of endothelial, inflammatory, and spindle cells. Here, we report that transgenic mice expressing the HHV8-encoded chemokine receptor (viral G protein-coupled receptor) within hematopoietic cells develop angioproliferative lesions in multiple organs morphologically resemble KS lesions. These are characterized by a spectrum changes ranging from erythematous maculae to vascular tumors, presence inflammatory cells, expression vGPCR, CD34, endothelial growth factor. We conclude vGPCR contributes development observed these suggest this may play role pathogenesis humans.