Human Herpes Virus 8 (HHV8), the causative agent of Kaposi’s sarcoma
(KS), induces an intense transcriptional reprogramming of endothelial
(HUVEC) cells in vitro, prolonging their life span and augmenting cell
survival in the presence of apoptotic inducers. In this work, lipid synthesis
and metabolism were studied inHHV8infectedHUVECcells. Cholesterol
and triglyceride synthesis were analysed by the use of 14C acetate and
14C oleate during lytic and latent HHV8 infection from days +3 to +24.
A quantitative analysis of neutral lipids in infected cells was performedin
situ using Nile Red dye, which displayed a red emission for polar lipids
and a yellowemission for neutral lipids. The results showed that during the
lytic phase (1 4 days after HHV8 infection) a depression of cholesterol and
cholesterol ester synthesis (about 26%) was observed, while triglycerides
appeared to be enhanced up to 45% as compared to controls. After 14 24
days, during the latent phase of infection, there was an increased synthesis
of cholesterol (up to +44%) and cholesterol esters (up to +58%) in infected
cells, whereas triglycerides were progressively lowered. Imaging analysis
showed that the lipid droplets and total neutral lipid content were definitely
higher (up to +85%) in HHV8 infected cells compared to the controls.
Lipid synthesis inhibitors Sigma C75 and Sandoz 58035 were used to
examine the importance of lipid synthesis modification and neutral lipid
accumulation in the pathogenesis of KS and neo angiogenesis. This work
was financed by the Fondazione Banco di Sardegna 2012
