What is it about?

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is widespread in the population and establishes lifelong infection, usually without causing disease. This study shows that HCMV stimulates an important host chemokine signaling pathway using two distinct mechanisms, suggesting this pathway may play a significant role in virus infection.

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Why is it important?

Manipulation of chemokine signaling by viruses is important because it results in changes in immune cell trafficking patterns, favoring virus persistence in the host. Understanding immune pathways targeted by the virus will enable us to better develop antivirals and vaccines.

Perspectives

This article was very exciting because it showed that HCMV has evolved two completely different methods to reach the same goal - influencing host CXCR4 signaling. This is a clear sign that this pathway must be important for successful infection in the host.

Juliet Spencer
University of San Francisco

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Human Cytomegalovirus UL111A and US27 Gene Products Enhance the CXCL12/CXCR4 Signaling Axis via Distinct Mechanisms, Journal of Virology, December 2017, ASM Journals,
DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01981-17.
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