Raf-Induced Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Augments Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Infection

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Abstract
Recombinant green fluorescent protein encoding Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (rKSHV.152) infection of β-estradiol stimulated human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) or HFF/ΔB-Raf [FF] :ER (expressing a weaker form of B-Raf) could be enhanced to levels comparable to that of HFF/ΔB-Raf [DD] :ER cells by pretreating cells with soluble vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Conversely, VEGF expression and infection efficiency typically observed in β-estradiol stimulated HFF/ΔB-Raf [DD] :ER cells could be lowered significantly by treating with VEGF small interfering RNA. In addition, we observed enhancement of the KSHV infection in HFF cells transfected with human VEGF 121 . These results confirm the ability of Raf-induced VEGF to augment KSHV infection of cells.