How Kaposi's sarcoma virus makes lymphatic vessel cells keep growing
KSHV immortalization of human lymphatic endothelial cells
Learning how the Kaposi's sarcoma virus causes lymphatic vessel cells to keep dividing, to help people at risk for Kaposi's sarcoma—often people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11323032 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work uses human lymphatic endothelial cells grown in the lab and infects them with Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) to see how the virus lets cells bypass normal aging and continue dividing. The researchers study the role of a viral protein called vCyclin and other viral effects that let infected cells avoid senescence, aiming to create a reproducible human-cell model of the earliest steps in tumor formation. They compare infected and uninfected human endothelial cells and analyze changes in cell behavior and key genes involved in cell-cycle control. A dependable human-cell model could help test new drugs or prevention strategies for Kaposi's sarcoma that affects people with and without HIV, especially in regions like sub-Saharan Africa.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV or others at risk for Kaposi's sarcoma, and individuals willing to donate blood or tissue samples for lab research, would be the most relevant participants or donors.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate therapy for active Kaposi's sarcoma are unlikely to get direct clinical benefit from this lab-based, basic science research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal early targets used by KSHV to cause Kaposi's sarcoma and enable new treatments or prevention approaches for people at risk.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab studies have shown KSHV and its viral cyclin can drive cell proliferation, but a reliable human-cell model of KSHV-driven immortalization is still novel and not yet widely reproducible.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lagunoff, Michael — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Lagunoff, Michael
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.