The role of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus in the pathogenesis of Kaposi sarcoma

J Pathol. 2015 Jan;235(2):368-80. doi: 10.1002/path.4441.

Abstract

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is an unusual vascular tumour caused by an oncogenic-herpesvirus, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV 8). KS lesions are characterized by an abundant inflammatory infiltrate, the presence of KSHV-infected endothelial cells that show signs of aberrant differentiation, as well as faulty angiogenesis/ vascularization. Here we discuss the molecular mechanisms that lead to the development of these histological features of KS, with an emphasis on the viral proteins that are responsible for their development.

Keywords: KSHV; Kaposi sarcoma; aberrant angiogenesis; atypical differentiation; inflammation; invasiveness; oncogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Transformation, Viral
  • Endothelial Cells / pathology
  • Endothelial Cells / virology
  • Herpesviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Herpesviridae Infections / virology*
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / metabolism
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / pathogenicity*
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic
  • Risk Factors
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / epidemiology
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / metabolism
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / pathology
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / virology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Skin Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / virology*
  • Virulence