Primary effusion lymphoma cells undergoing human herpesvirus type 8 productive infection produce C-type retroviral particles
Tinari, A.; Superti, F.; Ammendolia, M.G.; Chiozzini, C.; Hohenadl, C.; Leone, P.; Nappi, F.; Nicoletti, M.; Borsetti, A.; Marchetti, M.; Ensoli, B.; Monini, P.
International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology 21(4): 999-1006
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0394-6320 PMID: 19144286 Document Number: 615869
Primary effusion lymphomas (PELs) are invariably infected by the human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8)that is present in most PEL cells as latent virus but replicates in a subset of permissive cells to produce infectious progeny. Here we show that productively infected PEL cells release C-type retrovirus-like particles encoding an Mn++-dependent RT activity, which is typical of endogenous retroviruses. Strikingly, C-type particles are produced only in cells showing advanced HHV8 morphogenesis. Phorbol esters, which induce productive HHV8 replication and morphogenesis in PEL cells, increase RLP production. Phosphonoacetic acid, a blocker of HHV8 late gene expression, inhibits the production of C-type particles, whereas neutralizing anti-alphaIFN antibodies, which are known to increase HHV8 assembly, increases C-type particle production. These data suggest that factors expressed in advanced stages of HHV8 reactivation support endogenous C-type particle morphogenesis in PEL cells.