Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2004 May;57(5):529-35.
doi: 10.1136/jcp.2003.012724.

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) sequence variations in HHV8 related tumours in Okinawa, a subtropical island in southern Japan

K Kamiyama  1 , T Kinjo, K Chinen, T Iwamasa, H Uezato, J-I Miyagi, N Mori, N Yamane
Affiliations

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) sequence variations in HHV8 related tumours in Okinawa, a subtropical island in southern Japan

K Kamiyama et al. J Clin Pathol. 2004 May.

Abstract

Background: Although rare in mainland Japan, classic Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is frequently reported in Okinawa, a subtropical island in southern Japan. Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) has been identified in the tumours and geographical differences occur.

Aim: To sequence HHV8 in classic and AIDS associated KS in Okinawa.

Materials/methods: Eight classic KS cases, one AIDS associated KS, five granuloma pyogenicum cases, two inflammatory pseudotumours, two Castleman's disease cases, one angiosarcoma, and one primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) were studied. As a control, HHV8 positive cultured PEL cells (TY-1) were used. The presence of HHV8 sequences was evaluated by PCR and in situ hybridisation. PCR products were sequenced.

Results: There were no histological differences among KS resulting from the different virus genotypes. HHV8 was detected in all cases of KS, in one PEL, and one granuloma pyogenicum. Eight classic KS cases and one granuloma pyogenicum were infected with HHV8 genotype II/C (K1 region) or subtype C (ORF26 region), which had a five amino acid deletion at K1 VR2 region. An AIDS associated KS and a PEL were infected with type I/A virus.

Conclusion: In Okinawa, classic KS cases and one granuloma pyogenicum case were infected with HHV8 genotype II/C, also classified as subtype C. AIDS associated KS and PEL were infected with a different HHV8 (genotype I/A), similar to that found in the USA. In Okinawa, HHV8 infection is more than four times higher than in mainland Japan, resulting in many cases of KS because of HHV8 genotype II/C infection.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) Advanced skin lesion in classic Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) (case 5 in table 3). Many dark red/purple macules, plaques, and nodular lesions were seen and oedema was present. These lesions are often found in distal extremities. (B) Histology of AIDS associated KS (case 9 in table 3). A mixture of spindle cells and vascular spaces is seen. The vascular spaces are irregular and are dissected by bundles of collagen. Haematoxylin and eosin staining; original magnification, ×150.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(A) Histology of granuloma pyogenicum (case 10 in table 3). Many rounded anastomosing small vessels with slightly plump endothelial cells were found within the oedematous stroma. Haematoxylin and eosin staining; original magnification, ×150. (B) Histological findings of granuloma pyogenicum (human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) positive case; case 12 in table 3). Typical granuloma pyogenicum histology is noted, showing the anastomosing small vessel proliferation. Haematoxylin and eosin staining; original magnification, ×150. (C) Same case as in (B); in a small area, a lymphoangioma-like pattern is noted. Haematoxylin and eosin staining; original magnification, ×150. (D) Same case as in (B); in a small area, vascular spaces dissecting collagen bundles are seen. Haematoxylin and eosin staining; original magnification, ×150.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Demonstration of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) in Kaposi’s sarcoma by in situ hybridisation. HHV8 signals (arrowheads) are found in the cytoplasm and a few nuclei of vascular endothelial cells and spindle cells (case 5 in table 3).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Alignment of K1 amino acid sequences of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8). VR1 and VR2, variable regions 1 and 2. The dots below the sequence indicate cysteine residues. Underlining indicates potential N-linked glycosylation sites. Cases 1–3, classic Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) (cases 1–3 in table 3); case 4, AIDS associated KS (case 9 in table 3); case 5, RM-P1 cells (case 19 in table 3); case 6, granuloma pyogenicum (case 12 in table 3); control, TY-1 cells.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Chang Y, Cesarman E, Pessin MS, et al. Identification of herpesvirus-like DNA sequences in AIDS-associated Kaposi’s sarcoma. Science 1994;266:1865–9. - PubMed
    1. Cheng EH-Y, Nicholas J, Bellows DS, et al. A Bcl-2 homolog encoded by Kaposi sarcoma associated virus, human herpesvirus 8, inhibits apoptosis but does not heterodimerize with Bax or Bak. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1997;94:690–4. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Li-M, Lee H, Yoon D - W, et al. Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus encodes a functional cyclin. J Virol 1997;71:1984–91. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Neipel F, Albrecht J-C, Ensser A, et al. Human herpesvirus 8 encodes a homolog of interleukin-6. J Virol 1997:839–42. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Neipel F, Albrechet J - C, Fleckenstein B. Cell-homologous genes in the Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated rhadinovirus human herpesvirus 8: determinants of its pathogenicity? J Virol 1997;71:4148–92. - PMC - PubMed

MeSH terms