How Kaposi’s sarcoma virus shuts down the body's antiviral defenses
Determining how Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus hijacks caspase function to inhibit anti-viral responses
Researchers are looking at how the Kaposi’s sarcoma virus blocks antiviral signals in infected cells to help people with HIV-related Kaposi’s sarcoma.
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-11230224 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study how Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) uses a host protein called caspase-8 to turn off type I interferon, the cell's early antiviral alarm. Using lab experiments with infected cells and human-derived samples, they will compare interferon production and viral reactivation when caspase-8 is active versus blocked. The team will measure how changing caspase-8 activity affects viral replication and the signals that normally trigger antiviral defenses. The goal is to find molecular points that could be targeted to restore antiviral responses and limit KSHV-driven tumor growth.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This work mainly applies to people living with HIV who have or are at risk for Kaposi’s sarcoma caused by KSHV.
Not a fit: People without KSHV infection or with cancers unrelated to KSHV are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to boost antiviral immunity and prevent or slow Kaposi’s sarcoma in people with HIV.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies showed that blocking caspase-8 increases interferon and reduces KSHV reactivation, but turning that finding into patient treatments is still new and untested.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gaglia, Marta Maria — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Gaglia, Marta Maria
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.