Identification of human herpesvirus 8-specific cytotoxic T-cell responses

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8)(or Kaposi's sarcoma;associated herpesvirus) is implicated in the etiopathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and certain lymphoproliferations. The introduction of more effective therapies to treat human immunodeficiency virus infection has led to a decline in the incidence of KS and also in the resolution of KS in those already affected, This suggests that cellular immune responses including cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) could play a vital role in the control of HHV-8 infection and in KS pathogenesis. Here we elucidate HLA class I-restricted, HHV-8-specific cellular immune responses that could be important in the control of HRV-I infection and subsequent tumor development. We show the presence of CTLs against HHV-8 latent (K12), lytic (K8.1), and highly variable (K1) proteins in infected individuals.