How CMV proteins control latency and reactivation in blood-forming stem cells
HCMV UL133/8 regulation of host cell signaling in viral latency and reactivation
This project looks at whether specific CMV proteins change signals inside blood-forming stem cells to keep the virus silent or let it wake up, which matters for people who've had organ or bone marrow transplants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171746 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use human CD34+ blood stem cells grown in the lab and humanized mouse models to track how CMV viral factors control latency and reactivation. The work focuses on the viral protein UL138 and its interactions with host ubiquitin-specific protease complexes (including WDR48/WDR20 and USPs) that influence STAT1 and AKT signaling. Teams will combine molecular experiments, cell signaling studies, and collaborative approaches across projects in the program to map individual and combined viral effects. The goal is to build a detailed picture of how the virus hides and later reawakens in hematopoietic progenitor cells.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People most relevant to this work include solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, people with prior CMV infection, and donors able to provide CD34+ blood stem cell samples.
Not a fit: Patients without CMV infection risk or those not immunosuppressed are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets to prevent CMV reactivation or guide therapies that protect transplant patients from CMV-related illness.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have identified viral factors that influence CMV latency, but translating these mechanistic findings into clinical treatments remains early and ongoing.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goodrum, Felicia D — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Goodrum, Felicia D
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.