Speir E, Yu Z X, Ferrans V J
Cardiology Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1518, USA.
Rev Port Cardiol. 1998 Oct;17 Suppl 2:II33-9.
We and others have observational evidence that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) may be a pathogen in human atherosclerosis and restenosis. We have experimental evidence that HCMV infects human coronary smooth muscle cells and initiates viral replication. Vascular cells generate reactive oxygen species in response to stress (such as infection or reperfusion) and this leads to increased transcription of atherosclerosis-related cellular and viral genes, and to reactivation of latent HCMV. Finally, we found that aspirin can attenuate this augmented gene transcription via direct and indirect effects.
