Human Cytomegalovirus Infection and Cardiovascular Disease: Current Perspectives

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. Detectable levels of cmvIL-10 associated with seropositivity in RTR, but were found in some seronegative healthy adults. RTR with detectable cmvIL-10 had elevated interferon-γ T-cell responses to HCMV antigens, whilst cmvIL-10 in healthy adults associated with reduced populations of terminally-differentiated T-cells - a known "footprint" of HCMV. Plasma cmvIL-10 associated with lower VCAM-1 levels in healthy adults. The data suggest cmvIL-10 may suppress seroconversion and/or reduce the footprint of HCMV in healthy adults. This appears to be subverted in RTR by their high burden of HCMV and/or immune dysregulation associated with transplantation. A role for cmvIL-10 in protection of vascular health is discussed.

Structure elucidation and antiviral activity of a cold water-extracted mannogalactofucan Ts1-1A from Trametes sanguinea against human cytomegalovirus in vitro

In this study, we purified a partially acetylated heteropolysaccharide (Ts1-1A) from the fruit bodies of Trametes sanguinea Lloyd through cold water extraction and serial chromatographic separation. The purified polysaccharide Ts1-1A (12.8 kDa) was characterized as a branched mannogalactofucan with a backbone of alternately connected 1,3-linked α-Fucp and 1,6-linked α-Galp, which was partially substituted by non-reducing end units of β-Manp at O-2 and O-3 positions of 1,6-linked α-Galp. Ts1-1A showed pronounced anti-human cytomegalovirus activity at the concentration of 200 and 500 μg/mL in systematical assessments including morphological changes, western blotting, qPCR, indirect immunofluorescence and tissue culture infective dose assays. Moreover, Ts1-1A exerted its antiviral activity at two distinct stages of viral proliferation manifesting as significantly inhibiting viral protein (IE1/2 and p52) expression and reducing viral gene (UL123, UL44 and UL32) replication in the HCMV-infected WI-38 cells. At viral attachment stage, Ts1-1A interacted with HCMV and prevented HCMV from attaching to its host cells. While at early phase of viral replication stage, Ts1-1A suppressed HCMV replication by downregulating NQO1 and HO-1 proteins related to oxidative stress as an antioxidant. To sum up, Ts1-1A is a promising anti-HCMV agent which could be developed for HCMV infection prevention and therapy.

CMV-encoded GPCRs in infection, disease, and pathogenesis

G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are seven-transmembrane domain proteins that modulate cellular processes in response to external stimuli. These receptors represent the largest family of membrane proteins, and in mammals, their signaling regulates important physiological functions, such as vision, taste, and olfaction. Many organisms, including yeast, slime molds, and viruses encode GPCRs. Cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) are large, betaherpesviruses, that encode viral GPCRs (vGPCRs). Human CMV (HCMV) encodes four vGPCRs, including UL33, UL78, US27, and US28. Each of these vGPCRs, as well as their rodent and primate orthologues, have been investigated for their contributions to viral infection and disease. Herein, we discuss how the CMV vGPCRs function during lytic and latent infection, as well as our understanding of how they impact viral pathogenesis.

Spanish HCMV Seroprevalence in the 21st Century

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is linked to age-related diseases like cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative conditions, and cancer. It can also cause congenital defects and severe illness in immunocompromised individuals. Accurate HCMV seroprevalence assessment is essential for public health planning and identifying at-risk individuals. This is the first HCMV seroprevalence study conducted in the general Spanish adult population in 30 years. We studied HCMV seroprevalence and HCMV IgG antibody titres in healthy adult donors (HDs) and HCMV-related disease patients from 2010 to 2013 and 2020 to 2023, categorized by sex and age. We compared our data with 1993 and 1999 studies in Spain. The current HCMV seroprevalence among HDs in Spain is 73.48%. In women of childbearing age, HCMV seroprevalence has increased 1.4-fold in the last decade. HCMV-seropositive individuals comprise 89.83% of CVD patients, 69% of SMI patients, and 70.37% of COVID-19 patients. No differences in HCMV seroprevalence or HCMV IgG antibody titres were observed between patients and HDs. A significant reduction in Spanish HCMV seroprevalence among HDs was observed in 1993. However, women of childbearing age have shown an upturn in the last decade that may denote a health risk in newborns and a change in HCMV seroprevalence trends.

Cytomegalovirus and Cardiovascular Disease: A Hypothetical Role for Viral G-Protein-Coupled Receptors in Hypertension

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a member of the β-herpesviruses and is ubiquitous, infecting 50%-99% of the human population depending on ethnic and socioeconomic conditions. CMV establishes lifelong, latent infections in their host. Spontaneous reactivation of CMV is usually asymptomatic, but reactivation events in immunocompromised or immunosuppressed individuals can lead to severe morbidity and mortality. Moreover, herpesvirus infections have been associated with several cardiovascular and post-transplant diseases (stroke, atherosclerosis, post-transplant vasculopathy, and hypertension). Herpesviruses, including CMV, encode viral G-protein-coupled receptors (vGPCRs) that alter the host cell by hijacking signaling pathways that play important roles in the viral life cycle and these cardiovascular diseases. In this brief review, we discuss the pharmacology and signaling properties of these vGPCRs, and their contribution to hypertension. Overall, these vGPCRs can be considered attractive targets moving forward in the development of novel hypertensive therapies.