Human cytomegalovirus harbors its own unique IL-10 homolog (cmvlL-10)

摘要

We identified a viral lL-10 homolog encoded by an ORF (UL111a) within the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) genome, which we designated cmvlL-10. cmvIL-10 can bind to the human lL-10 recep- tor and can compete with human lL-10 for binding sites, despite the fact that these two proteins are only 27/100 identical. cmvlL-10 requires both subunits of the lL-10 receptor complex to induce signal transduction events and biological activities. The structure of the cmvlL-10 gene is unique by itself. The gene retained two of four introns of the lL-10 gene. but the length of the introns was reduced. We demonstrated that cmvIL-10 is expressed in CMV- infected cells. Thus. expression of cmvlL-10 extends the range of counter measures developed by CMV to circumvent detection and destruction by the host immune system.