Reactive oxygen species ‐induced parthanatos of immunocytes by human cytomegalovirus‐associated substance

We report here HCMVAIS‐induced cell death accompanied by PARP‐1 activation in a caspase‐independent manner, the nuclear translocation of apoptosis‐inducing factor (AIF), and DNA fragmentation, which are typical features of parthanatos. Treatment with an AIF inhibitor decreased the rate of HCMVAIS‐induced cell death. This event was confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining; cell death in most HCMV‐positive foci was TUNEL‐positive, cleaved caspase 3‐negative, and CD45‐positive in serial section samples of a large intestine with HCMV infection. Taken together, these data suggest that HCMV inhibits local immune responses via direct killing of immunocytes in the vicinity of HCMV‐infected cells through ROS‐induced parthanatos by HCMVAIS.
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research