BALTIMORE, MD -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 06/27/08 -- A new study suggests for the first time thathuman herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infects and persists in a dormant state inendothelial cells, the cells lining blood vessels, and causes these cellsto lose their ability to grow, to form new blood vessels, and to take partin healing processes. This finding was announced at the 6th InternationalConference for HHV-6 & 7 by a team of Italian researchers, professorsArnaldo Caruso of the University of Brescia and Dario Di Luca of theUniversity of Ferrara.The experiments performed on pure endothelial cells grown in the laboratoryallowed Professors Caruso and Di Luca to discover that U94, a viral proteinproduced during the viral latency, is responsible for these biologicaleffects. In fact, during the conference, German researchers reported thatHHV-6 is found in cardiomyopathy. "It is possible that the expression ofU94 damages endothelial cells of the heart, causing the disease or delayingrecovery," said Dr. Di Luca. "The understanding of this phenomenon could beimportant for the diagnosis and management of some heart diseases," headded.
An impact on tumor-fighting therapies?
The production of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) is a very importantbiological process that occurs naturally in the body. However, an excess ofangiogenesis can be harmful. If tumors do not form new blood vessels, theydo not receive enough blood with the necessary nutrients and cannot grow.Therefore, blocking angiogenesis is important for stopping tumor growth.Currently, the Italian research team is performing advanced experimentstoward the development of new anti-tumor therapies based on the inhibitionof blood vessel formation by U94. The production of U94 might limit tumorgrowth by preventing the formation of new blood vessels.
Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a virus commonly found in healthy adults.The virus infects for the first time during early childhood, causing a fewdays of fever and a temporary skin rash; spontaneous healing quicklyoccurs. After this first encounter with the body, the virus persists in adormant state. This life-long latent infection usually does not cause anydisease. However, the virus can activate, usually in patients with immunedeficiencies or taking immune suppressive drugs, and can cause life-threatening diseases. Other researchers have reported that HHV-6 may belinked also to diseases of the central nervous system, such as multiplesclerosis, encephalitis, chronic fatigue syndrome and epilepsy.
Add to Digg Bookmark with del.icio.us Add to Newsvine
Contact:
Kristin Loomis
Executive Director
HHV-6 Foundation
Phone: 805-969-1174
http://www.hhv-6foundation.org/
