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Polycations have high DNA condensing ability, low immunogenicity, and great adaptability, which make them promising for gene delivery. However, low transfection efficiency and inevitable toxicity are challenges of cationic polymers. In this study, we prepared a novel Janus dendritic polymer via a one-step Michael addition reaction of branched low-molecular-weight polyethylenimine (PEI, 1800 Da) and dendritic polythioether. The amphiphilic dendritic polymer can self-assemble into stable nanomicelles with high surface charge potential (+91.8 mV). The obtained nanomicelles can be used as a gene delivery vector, which exhibits a higher gene transfection efficiency and much lower cytotoxicity as compared with gold standard PEI (branched, 25 kDa).

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the causal agent of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), a common cancer in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The risk factors for KSHV infection have been extensively studied for Western countries but remain largely undefined for other parts of the world. Schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma japonicum infection, was recently identified as a cofactor for KSHV infection in rural Egypt. In this study, we examined the seroprevalence of KSHV in a population along the Yangtze River in China that has a high incidence of schistosomiasis. KSHV seroprevalence in subjects with schistosomiasis was slightly higher than that in subjects without schistosomiasis, but the difference was not statistically significant (8.4% versus 6.6%; P = 0.204). However, after adjusting for gender, KSHV seroprevalence in men with schistosomiasis was found to be significantly higher than that in men without schistosomiasis (8.4% versus 2.8%; odds ratio [OR], 3.170; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.501-6.694; P = 0.002). Compared to men, women showed significantly higher seroprevalence of KSHV (5.9% versus 9.3%; OR, 1.621; 95% CI, 1.084-2.425; P = 0.019).

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) seropositivity and lytic antibody titer are predictors for Kaposi's sarcoma.We examined demographic, viral, and immunologic factors that influence KSHV latent and lytic antibodies in HIV-infected patients.Detection rate of KSHV latent but not lytic antibodies was lower in patients with CD4 cells/mm3 less than 200 than greater than 200 (odds ratio [OR], 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11-0.61) and CD8 cells/mm3 less than 400 than greater than 400 (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.07-0.67). Overall seropositivity rate was higher in patients with CD4 cells/mm3 less than 200 than greater than 200 (OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.37-4.02) and HIV copies/mL greater than 400 than less than 400 (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.09-2.65). Lytic antibody level was inversely correlated with CD4 count (P0.001). Lytic seropositivity (OR, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.35-4.50) and antibody level (adjusted difference mean optical density, 0.324; 95% CI, 0.16-0.46) were higher in patients with HIV infection greater than 15 than less than 15 years. Hispanics had higher lytic seropositivity rate (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.07-2.73) and antibody level (adjusted difference mean optical density, 0.111; 95% CI, 0.03-0.18) than non-Hispanics.Lower CD4 and CD8 counts impair antibody response to KSHV latent antigens. Immune deterioration, long-term HIV infection, and Hispanic status are risk factors for Kaposi's sarcoma predictors.

The ORFK8.1 of Kaposi’s sarcoma associated-herpesvirus (KSHV) was expressed in a prokaryotic expression system. The expression of recombinant E.coli containing pQE-80L-orf K8.1 was induced by isopropyl-b-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). The fusion protein was purified by chromatyography. The expressed protein and its purified product were identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel eletrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). SDS-PAGE showed that a protein of 26 kDa was visualized as expected. A western blot assay was established to analyze the immunogenicity of purified recombinant ORFK8.1 protein. The optimal condition of the recombinant ORFK8.1 ELISA assay was confirmed: the concentration of antigen was 5 μg/mL, the dilution of serum was 1:200. We used the ELISA method to investigate the recombinant ORF K8.1 protein’s specificity, the data showed that the specificity of ORF K8.1 to detect KSHV was 100%. At the same time, 560 sera samples from Hubei province were detected by using ORFK8.1 ELISA to investigate KSHV seroprevalence in this region. The KSHV seroprevalence in Hubei province is shown to be 6.80%.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in eukaryotes, plants and some viruses. It is increasingly clear that miRNAs-encoded by viruses can affect the viral life cycle and host physiology. Viral miRNAs could repress the innate and adaptive host immunity, modulate cellular signaling pathways, and regulate the expression of cellular and viral genes. These functions facilitate viral acute and persistent infections, and have profound effects on the host cell survival and disease progression. Here, we discuss the miRNAs encoded by herpesviruses, and their regulatory roles involved in virus-host interactions.

Tumor angiogenesis is the uncontrolled growth of blood vessels in tumors, serving to supply nutrients and oxygen, and remove metabolic wastes. Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), a multifocal angioproliferative disorder characterized by spindle cell proliferation, neo-angiogenesis, inflammation, and edema, is associated with infection by Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). Recent studies indicate that KSHV infection directly promotes angiogenesis and inflammation through an autocrine and paracrine mechanism by inducing pro-angiogenic and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Many of these cytokines are also expressed in KS lesions, implicating a direct role of KSHV in the pathogenesis of this malignancy. Several KSHV genes are involved in KSHV-induced angiogenesis. These studies have provided insights into the pathogenesis of KS, and identified potential therapeutic targets for this malignancy.

To purify the protein encoding the small capsid protein (SCP) of KSHV and analyze its immunogenicity, the carboxyl terminus of orf65 of Kaposi’s sarcoma associated-herpesvirus (KSHV) was expressed in a prokaryotic expression system. The expression of recombinant E.coli containing pQE-80L-orf65 was induced by isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) and the fusion protein was purified by chromatography. The expressed protein and its purified product were identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and showed that 9 kDa was the expected size of the purified orf65 protein. The antiserum was produced in rabbit which was immunized by purified orf65 protein. An ELISA assay was established to analyze the immunogenicity of the purified orf65 protein. The ELISA analysis demonstrated that orf65 protein has strong immune activity, and the immune activity of polyclonal antibody against orf65 was more than 4 fold higher than that in the serum of the non-immunized rabbit. These results demonstrate that purified orf65 protein has very strong immunogenicity and can be used in screening KSHV infection in the general population using ELISA.

Xinjiang, China is an endemic area for Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) but the seroprevalence of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and risk factors remain undefined. In this study, antibodies to one KSHV latent protein (ORF73) and two KSHV lytic proteins (ORF65 and ORF-K8.1) were examined in 2,228 subjects from the general population and 37 subjects infected with HIV-1 in Xinjiang, and 560 subjects from the general population in Hubei, a low KS incidence region. The serostatus of a serum sample was defined based on positive results in any one of the three serologic assays. The seroprevalence of KSHV in the general population was higher in Xinjiang than in Hubei (19.2% vs 9.5%; odds ratios [OR], 2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.68–3.08; P < 0.001). Among the ethnic groups in Xinjiang, 68 (15.8%) Han, 182 (20.7%) Uygur, 140 (19.9%) Hazakh, 9 (33.3%) Xibo, and 29 (16.8%) Hui were KSHV-seropositive, respectively. Compared to the Han, the latter groups had an increase in the risk of KSHV of 62.2%, 63.8%, 180.1% and 30.2% (P = 0.003, 0.004, 0.018, and 0.286, respectively). Subjects aged < 20, 20–50, and > 50 had a seroprevalence of KSHV of 11.8%, 17.9% and 24.6%, respectively. Compared to subjects aged < 20, the latter groups had an increase in the risk of KSHV of 63.3% and 144.5% (P = 0.009 and < 0.001, respectively). Subjects infected with HIV-1 in Xinjiang had a seroprevalence of KSHV of 43.2%, and a 220% increase in the risk of KSHV compared to the general population (P < 0.001). Similar results were obtained when the seroprevalence of KSHV was analyzed with any single or two of the three serologic assays alone. Genotyping identified 3 unique sequences clustered in the A clade. This study indicates that Xinjiang has a high seroprevalence of KSHV. Geographic location, ethnicity, age and HIV-1 infection are risk factors. Serologic and genotyping results suggest the introduction of KSHV into Xinjiang by specific ethnic groups.