# Modulation of Innate Immunity by KSHV

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2021 · $420,266

## Abstract

PROJECT ABSTRACT
 KSHV is both a commensal and pathogenic microorganism in the human host.
Many studies have shown that KSHV is present in the saliva and oral cavity and can be
transmitted through both oral and sexual transmission routes. In conditions of immune
suppression e.g. HIV infection or immunosuppressive therapy, KSHV is associated with
the development of sarcomas and lymphomas, including in the oral cavity. Although
these diseases are usually seen in the context of immune suppression, even HIV-
negative individuals can develop KSHV-associated cancers. Thus, it is clear that the
host immune system plays a critical role in preventing diseases associated with KSHV
infection.
 It is currently unclear how the immune system keeps KSHV in check in healthy
individuals, but allows disease to progress during times of immunosuppression. We have
previously reported that TLRs, RLRs and NLRs are capable of detecting KSHV in a
variety of different biologically relevant cell types during primary infection and during
reactivation from latency. We also reported that the cGAS-STING DNA sensing
pathway can detect KSHV during primary infection and reactivation and that KSHV viral
proteins can counteract activation of this important pathway. In this application, we
propose to determine how KSHV viral proteins modulate cGAS and STING innate
immune proteins and allow the virus to successfully establish life-long latency in the
human host. We also propose to examine how KSHV's modulation of innate immune
pathways impacts HIV infection.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10173752
- **Project number:** 5R01DE028211-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** BLOSSOM A DAMANIA
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $420,266
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-11 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10173752

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10173752, Modulation of Innate Immunity by KSHV (5R01DE028211-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10173752. Licensed CC0.

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