Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Infection of Endothelial Progenitor Cells Impairs Angiogenic Activity In Vitro

A recent study reported that endothelial progenitor MI6 (EPCs) are one of the reservoirs of Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV). Although EPCs are closely linked to angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, little is known about the angiogenic potential of KSHV in EPCs. In this study, we used EPCs isolated from human umbilical cord blood to show that early infection by KSHV in vitro impaired the neovascularization of EPCs in matrigel. Our results suggest that KSHV may disrupt the angiogenic potential of EPCs and that the disseminated infection of KSHV could be associated with EPC dysfunction.