Research progress in human cytomegalovirus and its association with TGF-β and Smad signaling pathway / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

ABSTRACT

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a common herpes virus found in human and can establish lifelong latency in the hosts. In healthy population, HCMV usually results in asymptomatic latent infection. However, the latent HCMV can be activated and cause many serious diseases and even death in people with low immunity. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a powerful regulator of many cellular pathways, playing important roles in inflammatory response and cell differentiation, as well as immunomodulatory role in viral infection. The classic Smad signaling pathway is involved in the regulation of many cell activities, including growth, differentiation and apoptosis. This review summarized the progress in the association of HCMV infection with TGF-β and the Smad signaling pathway.