Single cell analysis reveals human cytomegalovirus drives latently infected cells towards an anergic-like monocyte state

• DOI: 10.7554/elife.52168
• Publication Date: 2020-01-22T13:00:15Z
• Authors: Miri Shnayder; Aharon Nachshon; Batsheva Rozman; Biana Bernshtein; Michael Lavi; Noam Fein; Emma Poole; Selmir Avdic; Emily Blyth; David Gottlieb; Allison Abendroth; Barry Slobedman; John Sinclair; Noam Stern-Ginossar; Michal Schwartz
• Keywords: Cytomegalovirus; Monocyte

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) causes a lifelong infection through establishment of latency. Although reactivation from latency can cause life-threatening disease, our molecular understanding HCMV is incomplete. Here we use single cell RNA-seq analysis to characterize in monocytes and hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs). In monocytes, identify host surface markers that enable enrichment latent harboring higher viral transcript levels, which reactivate more efficiently, are characterized by reduced intrinsic immune response important for gene expression. Significantly, HSPCs, transcripts could be detected only monocyte progenitors were also associated with immune-response. Overall, work indicates regardless the developmental stage infects, drives towards weaker immune-responsive state this anergic-like crucial virus ability express its eventually reactivate.