Cytomegalovirus replication in human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Altered expression of viral early proteins.

Abstract

Retinal pigment epithelial cells appear to demonstrate a distinct pattern of CMV infection. The low frequency of expression of IE viral protein in RPE cells, the subsequent slow replication of CMV, and the altered expression of IE viral proteins may be critical variables that impact on their relationship to viral persistence and activation within the retina. Alterations in the IE gene product may indicate the existence of positive or negative nuclear transcription factors within infected RPE cells.