Human cytomegalovirus productively infects porcine endothelial cells in vitro

Background. The possibility that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) may infect porcine endothelial cells (ECs) was investigated. This may be relevant during xenotransplantation of porcine cells or organs into human recipients. Methods. HCMV was inoculated into low-passage porcine ECs. Replication of virus was detected by development of characteristic cytopathogenic effect. Appearance of immediate early, early, and late antigens was studied by immunocytochemical staining. Infectious virus was detected in human fibroblast cells. Presence of HCMV RNA was studied by Northern Blot and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results. All parameters indicated that a fresh clinical HCMV isolate productively infects porcine ECs. The same cells do not fully support replication of the laboratory strain Ad 169. Conclusion. Our results may indicate the possibility of cross-species infectivity of HCMV to porcine cells.