1. HHV-6 and HHV-7 in Cardiovascular Diseases and Cardiomyopathies
- Author
-
Uwe Kuehl, L. Maximilian Buja, Dirk Lassner, and Gerhard R. F. Krueger
- Subjects
Myocarditis ,biology ,CD46 ,viruses ,virus diseases ,Complement receptor ,biochemical phenomena, metabolism, and nutrition ,medicine.disease ,biology.organism_classification ,Virology ,Immune system ,Immunology ,medicine ,Human herpesvirus 6 ,Endothelial dysfunction ,Vasculitis ,Cellular Tropism - Abstract
Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and HHV-7 are ubiquitous human pathogens with lymphotropic and neurotropic potential. Both viruses infect cells that express the CD46 complement receptor. Based on their biological properties and their receptor-dependent cellular tropism, HHV-6 and HHV-7 are detected in cells of different organs and consequently associated with various diseases. In addition to modulation of immune responses, HHV-6 and HHV-7 can directly infect endothelial cells and subsequently enter adjacent tissues. If the cardiovascular system is affected, HHV-6 and HHV-7 infections can be causative for myocarditis, vasospastic endothelial dysfunction, and development of post-infectious or post-inflammatory cardiomyopathies. Reactivation of HHV-6 is often associated with a higher percentage of chest pain, while inhibition of viral RNA is associated with clinical improvement of treated patients. This may be a therapeutic option for HHV-6-positive patients with unexplained cardiac symptoms.
- Published
- 2014