An IL-10 homologue encoded by human cytomegalovirus is linked with the viral "footprint" in clinical samples.

Persistent infections with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) affect the hosts' immune system and have been linked with chronic inflammation and cardiovascular disease. These effects may be influenced by a HCMV-encoded homologue of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10 (cmvIL-10). To assess this, we quantitated cmvIL-10 in plasma from renal transplant recipients (RTR) and healthy adults.

Markers of terminally differentiated T-cells as predictors of vascular health in renal transplant recipients and healthy adults.

Meta-analyses confirm a link between persistent human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections and cardiovascular disease, but the mechanisms are unclear. We assess whether proportions of T-cell populations are reliable predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis and/or reflect the burden of HCMV in healthy adults and renal transplant recipients (RTR). Samples were collected from healthy adults and RTR at baseline (T0) and after 32 (24-40) months (T1).

Human Cytomegalovirus Infection and Cardiovascular Disease: Current Perspectives.

Infections with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) are often asymptomatic in healthy adults but can be severe in people with a compromised immune system. While several studies have demonstrated associations between cardiovascular disease in older adults and HCMV seropositivity, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We review evidence published within the last 5 years establishing how HCMV can contribute directly and indirectly to the development and progression of atherosclerotic plaques.

Do variations in the HLA-E ligand encoded by UL40 distinguish individuals susceptible to HCMV disease?

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is carried lifelong by ∼80 % of adults worldwide, generating distinct disease syndromes in transplant recipients, people with HIV (PWH) and neonates. Amino acids 15-23 encoded by the HCMV gene UL40 match positions 3-11 of HLA-A and HLA-C, and constitute a "signal peptide" able to stabilise cell surface HLA-E as a restriction element and a ligand of NKG2A and NKG2C. We present next generation sequencing of UL40 amplified from 15 Australian renal transplant recipients (RTR), six healthy adults and four neonates, and 21 Indonesian PWH.

Variants of HCMV Sequenced Directly from Clinical Specimens Associate with Antibody and T-Cell Responses to HCMV.

Around 80% of adults worldwide carry human cytomegaloviris (HCMV). The HCMV gene is a homolog of HLA class I genes and encodes a protein with high affinity for the NK and T-cell cytotoxicity inhibitor LIR-1. was deep sequenced from blood, saliva or urine from Indonesian people with HIV (PWH) ( = 28), Australian renal transplant recipients (RTR) ( = 21), healthy adults ( = 7) and neonates ( = 4).

Sequencing of the Viral UL111a Gene Directly from Clinical Specimens Reveals Variants of HCMV-Encoded IL-10 That Are Associated with Altered Immune Responses to HCMV.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a beta-herpesvirus carried by ~80% of adults worldwide. Acute infections are often asymptomatic in healthy individuals but generate diverse syndromes in neonates, renal transplant recipients (RTR), and people with HIV (PWH). The HCMV gene UL111a encodes a homolog of human interleukin-10 (IL-10) that interacts with the human IL-10 receptor.

Challenging the Conventional Interpretation of HCMV Seronegativity.

The majority of adults in the world (around 83%) carry antibodies reactive with HCMV and are thought to retain inactive or latent infections lifelong. The virus is transmitted via saliva, so infection events are likely to be common. Indeed, it is hard to imagine a life without exposure to HCMV.

Sequencing Directly from Clinical Specimens Reveals Genetic Variations in HCMV-Encoded Chemokine Receptor US28 That May Influence Antibody Levels and Interactions with Human Chemokines.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a beta-herpesvirus carried by ∼80% of the world's population. Acute infections are asymptomatic in healthy individuals but generate diverse syndromes in neonates, solid organ transplant recipients, and HIV-infected individuals. The HCMV gene US28 encodes a homolog of a human chemokine receptor that is able to bind several chemokines and HIV gp120.

Immunohistochemical evidence of P2X7R, P2X4R and CaMKK2 in pyramidal neurons of frontal cortex does not align with Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an incurable neurodegenerative condition resulting in progressive cognitive decline. Pathological features include Aβ plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, neuroinflammation and neuronal death. Purinergic receptors 7 and 4 (P2X7R and P2X4R) and calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase kinase 2 (CaMKK2) are implicated in neuronal death.

Human Cytomegalovirus-Encoded microRNAs Can Be Found in Saliva Samples from Renal Transplant Recipients.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections are common following renal transplantation and may have long-lasting effects. HCMV can be measured directly by viral DNA or indirectly via host immune responses. HCMV-encoded microRNA (miRNA) may alter the pathobiology of HCMV infections and contribute to the progression of HCMV disease.

Cytomegalovirus burden improves a predictive model identifying measures of vascular risk in renal transplant recipients and healthy adults.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been implicated in vascular pathologies and may warrant inclusion in cardiovascular predictive algorithms. We addressed this in healthy older adults and renal transplant recipients (RTR) as they retain a high burden of CMV. RTR (n  =  45) stable more than 2 years after transplantation and 58 age-matched healthy adults were assessed.

The Detection of CMV in Saliva Can Mark a Systemic Infection with CMV in Renal Transplant Recipients.

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is often transmitted through saliva. The salivary gland is a site of CMV replication and saliva can be used to diagnose congenital CMV infections. CMV replication is monitored in whole blood or plasma in renal transplant recipients (RTR) and associates with clinical disease.

Deciphering Effects of Uncontrolled Cytomegalovirus Replication on Immune Responses in Cytomegalovirus DNA-Positive Renal Transplant Recipients.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a highly prevalent virus and a common cause of morbidity in solid organ transplant patients. It is also known for its long-lasting imprint on the immune system, expanding populations of highly differentiated T cells and natural killer (NK) cells with novel phenotypes. However, it is unclear whether these cells mark success or failure in the management of an active infection.

Active and Persistent Cytomegalovirus Infections Affect T Cells in Young Adult HIV Patients Commencing Antiretroviral Therapy.

Altered T cell profiles have been linked with metrics of persistent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in healthy aging and older HIV patients stable on antiretroviral therapy (ART). In this study, we use CMV DNA to identify active infections, and levels of CMV-reactive antibody to assess the persistent burden of CMV in a longitudinal study of 78 young adult patients beginning ART in Jakarta, Indonesia, with <200 CD4 T cells/μL. CMV antibodies, inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein [CRP], soluble interferon-α/β receptor) and T cell phenotypes were assessed before ART (V0) and after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months (V1-V12).

HIV patients, healthy aging and transplant recipients can reveal the hidden footprints of CMV.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a β-herpesvirus. Latent infections are common in all populations. However age-associated increases in levels of CMV-reactive antibody are testament to repeated reactivations and periods of viral replication.

The effect of genetic variants affecting NK cell function on cardiovascular health and the burden of CMV.

Renal transplant recipients (RTR) display high burdens of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and accelerated cardiovascular change. NK cells can control CMV and may contribute to vascular pathologies. Polymorphisms in genes encoding the inhibitory receptor LILRB1 and its ligand HLA-G, and the activating receptor NKG2C may illuminate the role of NK cells in vascular health and CMV immunity.

Factors affecting affect cardiovascular health in Indonesian HIV patients beginning ART.

Background: We present a small longitudinal study of how demographic factors and persistent burdens of HIV and cytomegalovirus (CMV) influence cardiovascular health in young adults beginning ART in an inner-city clinic in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Methods: ART-naïve HIV patients [n = 67; aged 31 (19 to 48) years] were enrolled in the JakCCANDO Project. Echocardiography and carotid Doppler ultrasonography were performed before ART (V0) and after 3, 6, and 12 months (V3-12).