Immediate-early cytomegalovirus antigen in cells from various layers of human aorta

In order to test hypothesis that reactivation of latent cytomegalovirus in, the arterial wall accompanies atherogenesis we estimated the proportion of infected cells which synthesize ultraearly viral antigen (p70) in endothel ium and deeper layers of macroscopically normal and damaged human aorta. By means of immunocytochemical staining viral antigen was found in endothelia l cells of 1 of 5 normal and 6 of 7 damaged aortas. No more than 5 antigen positive endothelial cells per 5 mm(2) were found in preparations of intact endothelium. In normal vessels antigen positive endothelial cells were sit uated around orifices of intercostal arteries while in damaged vessels they were located in macroscopically normal parts and fatty streaks. In situ hy bridization revealed viral genome on sections of normal and damaged vessels in cells located on luminal surface of the aorta and in cells randomly dis persed within intima and media. In damaged vessels besides single isolated infected cells there were also clusters of infected cells located in media. Viral antigen was found only in sections of damaged vessels in cells locat ed on luminal surface of the aorta or as loose agglomerations at the border between intima and media. Results of the study allow to assume an associat ion between reactivation of IE1 gene expression in endothelial cells, forma tion of clusters of antigen positive cells in deep aortic layers and early stages of atherogenesis in human aorta.