The role of cytomegalovirus in angiogenesis

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection has been associated with the acceleration of vascular disease including atherosclerosis and transplant associated vasculopathy in solid organ transplants. HCMV promotes vascular disease at many of the different stages of the disease development. These include the initial injury phase, enhancing the response to injury and inflammation, as well as by increasing SMC hyperplasia and foamy macrophage cell formation. Angiogenesis is a critical process involved in the development of vascular diseases. Recently, HCMV has been shown to induce angiogenesis and this process is thought to contribute to HCMV-accelerated vascular disease and may also be important for HCMV-enhanced tumor formation. This review will highlight the role of HCMV in promoting angiogenesis.