The human gammaherpesviruses Epstein-Barr virus and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and murine gammaherpesvirus-68 (gHV68) are associated with B-cell lymphomas. The establishment of a chronic infection in B-cells is a critical step in the ability of these viruses to establish a life-long infection that may put infected cells at risk for transformation. gHV68 represents a small tractable animal model for gammaherpesvirus latency. These studies aim to utilize gHV68 as a model for understanding the role of NFkappaB in the establishment of chronic infection by gammaherpesviruses. NF-kB is necessary for the survival of B-cells infected with gHV68. In addition, NF-kappaB is required for achieving normal levels of chronic gHV68 infection in B-cells of mice. Here, two aspects of NF-kappaB signaling in B-cells upon infection with gHV-68 will be investigated: the specific NF-kappaB signaling pathways and subunits that are activated and the viral proteins that modulate these pathways. Characterization of these critical virus-cell interactions will provide a greater understanding of gammaherpesvirus-associated lymphoproliferative disorders and may thereby lead to novel therapeutic targets.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32AI066818-02
Application #
7154111
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F13 (20))
Program Officer
Beisel, Christopher E
Project Start
2005-07-01
Project End
2008-06-30
Budget Start
2006-07-01
Budget End
2007-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$53,992
Indirect Cost
Name
Emory University
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
066469933
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30322
Krug, Laurie T; Torres-González, Edilson; Qin, Qianhong et al. (2010) Inhibition of NF-kappaB signaling reduces virus load and gammaherpesvirus-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Am J Pathol 177:608-21
Krug, Laurie T; Collins, Christopher M; Gargano, Lisa M et al. (2009) NF-kappaB p50 plays distinct roles in the establishment and control of murine gammaherpesvirus 68 latency. J Virol 83:4732-48
Krug, Laurie T; Moser, Janice M; Dickerson, Shelley M et al. (2007) Inhibition of NF-kappaB activation in vivo impairs establishment of gammaherpesvirus latency. PLoS Pathog 3:e11