Epigenetic Regulation of Human Cytomegalovirus Latency: an Update

Abstract

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous virus which infects 50–90% of the population worldwide. In immunocompetent hosts, HCMV either remains unnoticed or causes mild symptoms. Upon primary infection it establishes latent infection in a few cells. However, in certain situations where immunity is either immature or compromised, HCMV may reactivate and cause mortality and morbidity. Therefore, it is utmost important to understand how HCMV establishes latent infection and associated mechanisms responsible for its reactivation. Several mechanisms are involved in the regulation of latency including chromatin remodeling by an array of enzymes and microRNAs. Here we will describe the epigenetic regulation of HCMV latency. Further we will discuss the unique HCMV latency signature and patho-physiological relevance of latent HCMV infection.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by grants from the University of Franche-Comté (UFC), the Région Franche-Comté (RECHFON12–000013) and Europe (FEDER, Fonds Européens de Développement Régional N°2014–0045) to Georges Herbein. Amit Kumar is a recipient of a postdoctoral fellowship of the Région Franche-Comté (N° 2012C-06102). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by grants from the University of Franche-Comté (UFC), the Région Franche-Comté (RECHFON12–000013) and Europe (FEDER, Fonds Européens de Développement Régional N°2014–0045) to Georges Herbein. Amit Kumar is a recipient of a postdoctoral fellowship of the Région Franche-Comté (N° 2012C-06102). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.