# Project 3 - Modulation of host cell biology by KSHV

> **NIH NIH P01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2020 · $280,067

## Abstract

Project 3 
Abstract 
 Kaposi's sarcoma-associated virus (KSHV) is the etiological agent of Kaposi's sarcoma 
(KS), primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) and multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD). KS is the 
most common AIDS-defining cancer in HIV-positive individuals, although KS can also occur in 
HIV-negative individuals. KS is a highly angiogenic tumor that is driven by KSHV-infected 
endothelial-derived spindle cells, and KS lesions express high levels of cytokines and 
angiogenic growth factors. We have found that KSHV infection significantly alters angiogenesis, 
migration, and survival of endothelial cells. We have found that KSHV viral proteins upregulate 
cytokines and chemokines and hypothesize that the upregulated cytokines and chemokines 
play important roles in driving angiogenesis and cell proliferation of KSHV-infected cells. 
Additionally, other cellular factors that are activated upon KSHV infection of endothelial cells will 
be explored for their role in angiogenesis and the KSHV lifecycle. In this application, we 
propose to determine how cellular and viral proteins promote endothelial cell migration, 
angiogenesis and survival of the infected cell and how this shapes the tumor microenvironment. 
We hypothesize that the modulation of cell migration, angiogenesis, survival and the tumor 
microenvironment by KSHV promotes oncogenesis and contributes to the pathogenesis 
associated with KSHV infection. Thus, the proposed studies will provide significant and 
biologically relevant insights into KSHV biology, and will also identify new targets for therapies 
against KSHV-associated cancers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9986673
- **Project number:** 5P01CA019014-41
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** BLOSSOM A DAMANIA
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $280,067
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9986673

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9986673, Project 3 - Modulation of host cell biology by KSHV (5P01CA019014-41). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9986673. Licensed CC0.

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