Melnick J L, Adam E, DeBakey M E
Division of Molecular Virology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030-3498, USA.
Bioessays. 1995 Oct;17(10):899-903. doi: 10.1002/bies.950171012.
Finding that an avian herpesvirus can cause atherosclerosis in chickens prompted studies of human herpesviruses in human atherosclerosis. Antigens and nucleic acid sequences of cytomegalovirus (CMV), a widespread member of the herpesvirus family, were found in arterial lesions in human atherosclerosis, but infectious virus has not been observed. In atherosclerosis patients, high levels of CMV antibodies are present, suggesting the presence of virus that had been activated from a latent state. Atherosclerosis also develops in immune-suppressed heart transplant patients infected with CMV. The properties of CMV are consistent with its involvement at several levels of the atherogenic process. If this concept is correct, immunization with a CMV vaccine should prevent CMV infection and atherosclerosis.
发现一种禽疱疹病毒可导致鸡的动脉粥样硬化，这促使人们对人类动脉粥样硬化中的人类疱疹病毒展开研究。巨细胞病毒（CMV）是疱疹病毒家族中广泛存在的一员，在人类动脉粥样硬化的动脉病变中发现了其抗原和核酸序列，但尚未观察到传染性病毒。在动脉粥样硬化患者中，存在高水平的CMV抗体，这表明存在从潜伏状态激活的病毒。感染CMV的免疫抑制心脏移植患者也会发生动脉粥样硬化。CMV的特性与其在动脉粥样硬化形成过程的多个层面发挥作用相一致。如果这一概念正确，那么用CMV疫苗进行免疫接种应可预防CMV感染和动脉粥样硬化。
