Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus & viral immune modulation

David Blackbourn’s group works on the biology of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), which is also called Human herpesvirus (HHV)-8.  KSHV is responsible for Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and a rare form of lymphoma, especially in individuals infected with HIV, which causes the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).  AIDS patients can develop three malignancies of which KS, an endothelial cell tumour, is the most common.  However, KS also affects HIV-uninfected individuals, including organ transplant recipients.  The identification of KSHV as a new human pathogen offers exciting opportunities to investigate how it and related herpesviruses cause disease.

The main emphasis of our work is on KSHV mechanisms of immune modulation.  We also have interests in the mechanisms of KSHV pathogenesis, including the functional consequences of endothelial cell infection by the virus.

Publications

Automated Pub Med Search for Dr. David Blackbourn