Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus: immunobiology, oncogenesis, and therapy
Dirk P. Dittmer, Blossom Damania
Dirk P. Dittmer, Blossom Damania
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Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus: immunobiology, oncogenesis, and therapy

Abstract

Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpesvirus 8, is the etiologic agent underlying Kaposi sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and multicentric Castleman’s disease. This human gammaherpesvirus was discovered in 1994 by Drs. Yuan Chang and Patrick Moore. Today, there are over five thousand publications on KSHV and its associated malignancies. In this article, we review recent and ongoing developments in the KSHV field, including molecular mechanisms of KSHV pathogenesis, clinical aspects of KSHV-associated diseases, and current treatments for cancers associated with this virus.

Authors

Dirk P. Dittmer, Blossom Damania

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Figure 1

Innate immune evasion by KSHV.

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Innate immune evasion by KSHV. KSHV encodes multiple viral proteins that...
KSHV encodes multiple viral proteins that inhibit innate immune pathways. (i) KSHV-mediated activation of TLRs and RIG-I triggers interferon and IFN-β production following primary infection. (ii) KSHV Rta, ORF45, and vIRF1, -2, and -3 block cellular IRFs from activating interferon-responsive genes. (iii) KSHV LANA, ORF52, and vIRF1 block the cGAS-STING DNA-sensing pathway. (iv) KSHV ORF63 inhibits NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasome activation and KCP/ORF4 promotes KSHV pathogenesis by helping the virus to evade complement.