Altered expression of extracellular matrix in human-cytomegalovirus-infected cells and a human artery organ culture model to study its biological relevance

The influence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) on the transcription of 11 se lected, representative extracellular matrix genes was investigated in cell culture. Northern blot hybridization indicated the downregulation of all mR NAs investigated. Based on our results and the known repression of other ex tracellular matrix transcripts and the beta-actin transcription during HCMV infection, we suggest that one molecular mechanism contributing to the cyt opathic effect may be the transcriptional downregulation of genes encoding proteins involved in cell structure and intercellular connection. To furthe r study the biological relevance of this and other pathogenetic mechanisms, we established a human renal artery organ culture system and characterized this new infection model for HCMV. Our model is a new suitable system for the investigation of molecular as well as functional consequences of HCMV i nfection in a more physiological microenvironment, Copyright (C) 2000 S. Ka rger AG, Basel.