Human cytomegalovirus infection and expression in human malignant glioma.

TLDR

Malignant gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors in adults, rapidly fatal, with unknown etiology, and are frequently infected by the ubiquitous beta‑herpesvirus HCMV, which can reactivate during inflammation and dysregulate oncogenic pathways. We demonstrate that a high proportion of malignant gliomas harbor HCMV infection and express viral gene products, providing the first evidence that HCMV may actively contribute to glioma pathogenesis.

Abstract

Malignant gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors in adults, have no known etiology, and are generally rapidly fatal despite current therapies. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is beta-herpesvirus trophic for glial cells that persistently infects 50-90% of the adult human population. HCMV can be reactivated under conditions of inflammation and immunosuppression, and HCMV gene products can dysregulate multiple cellular pathways involved in oncogenesis. Here we show that a high percentage of malignant gliomas are infected by HCMV and multiple HCMV gene products are expressed in these tumors. These data are the first to show an association between HCMV and malignant gliomas and suggest that HCMV may play an active role in glioma pathogenesis.