Subsequent projects

Prof. Dr. Armin Ensser
Friedrich-Alexander-University
of Erlangen-Nuremberg
Lehrstuhl für Klinische Virologie

Prof. Dr. Jae U. Jung
University of Southern California, Annenberg
School of Medicine, Molecular Microbiology & Immunology

Small animal models of Rhadinovirus-associated hematologic neoplasia

Latent infection by KSHV/HHV8 is associated with B-cell lymphoma in humans, and Herpesvirus saimiri induces T-cell lymphoma in New and Old World primates. We aim to establish latency and tumor small animal models in “humanized” (NOD/SCID/IL2gamma-/-) NSG mice, which display a human immune cell repertoire following transfer and engraftment of human hematopoietic stem cells. Recombinant herpesviruses expressing marker genes will be generated and used that shall allow the monitoring of lymphocytic tumor cell expansion by flow cytometry or bioluminescence. These KSHV and HVS models, developed with continued support by BaCaTeC, will form a basis for the testing of antineoplastic drugs tailored toward virus-induced lymphoma. Furthermore, success of the project will reduce the requirement of nonhuman primates in gammaherpesvirus research, and avoid associated ethical reservations.

Primary project: Recombinant herpesviruses for research in autophagy and cancer