How CMV stays dormant in people
Transcriptional Control of Human Cytomegalovirus Latency
This work looks at how different versions of a five-protein CMV complex called the Pentamer make the virus become active or stay hidden, which matters most for people with weakened immune systems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11325295 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will create matched CMV viruses that carry different Pentamer alleles and compare how these versions behave in fibroblasts, epithelial and endothelial cells, and in primary human CD34+ blood stem cells. They will measure which virus versions drive immediate early gene activity (leading to active infection) versus which promote a latent, hidden state. The team will also study the molecular mechanism by which the Pentamer represses the viral major immediate-early promoter (MIEP). Most of the work is lab-based using human cells and clinical virus strains to mimic what happens in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This work is most relevant to people who are CMV-positive and immunocompromised, such as those with advanced HIV/AIDS, organ transplant recipients, or people undergoing bone marrow transplantation.
Not a fit: People who are CMV-negative or have normal immune function are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this specific lab-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new ways to prevent or reduce CMV reactivation and disease in people with HIV/AIDS, transplant recipients, and others with weakened immunity.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have identified other viral proteins that influence CMV latency, but using distinct Pentamer alleles to pre-program virions toward lytic versus latent outcomes is a novel and less-tested idea.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kalejta, Robert F — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Kalejta, Robert F
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.