Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus-encoded interleukin-6

Since the discovery of the virus in 1994, the rapid pace with which Karposi 's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) research has progressed has quickl y led to a broad understanding of the structure of the virus and its biolog y and pathology in humans, Molecular piracy of potentially useful cellular genes has emerged as a characteristic feature of this virus, The viral homo log of human IL-6, vIL-6 is an example in kind, Studies in vitro and in viv o have shown that vIL-6 can stimulate the growth of KSHV-infected primary i nfusion lymphoma (PEL) cells, can promote hematopoiesis, and act as an angi ogenic factor through the induction of vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF), It is not difficult to envision how vIL-6, through these properties and perhaps others yet to be identified, can contribute to KSHV survival an d spread in the human population.