Virus Infection Of Hepatic Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells Regulates Hepatic T Cell Recruitment And Activation

Background/Objective: Animal studies suggest that endothelial cells and not hepatocytes are the site of cytomegalovirus (CMV) latency and reactivation in the liver and the source of secondary viral spread. The aim of this study was to investigate, whether CMV infection modulates the ability of the liver to recruit and activate T cells on the level of hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HSEC). Materials and Methods: Recombinant endotheliotropic eGFP-labeled CMV was propagated and purified by ultracentrifugation in tartrate/glycerol gradients. Primary HSEC were isolated from explanted livers, grown to confluence…