KSHV-driven tumor formation: how low-oxygen conditions push stem cells toward Kaposi’s sarcoma

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

Kaposi’s sarcoma is linked to infection with a virus (KSHV) and abnormal blood vessel growth in low-oxygen environments. The team will study how hypoxia activates HIF, a key regulator that can drive both normal development and cancer progression, in KS-related cells. They propose that KSHV may use the hypoxia response to push mesenchymal stem cells toward an endothelial-like state, fueling tumor formation. By examining these cellular changes in endothelial cells and MSCs, the research aims to uncover a mechanism of viral tumorigenesis that could reveal new targets for therapy. The work combines cellular models and molecular analyses to connect hypoxia, viral biology, and KS pathology.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• University of Pennsylvania
  Philadelphia, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Yuan, Yan — University of Pennsylvania
• Study coordinator: Yuan, Yan

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About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.