Murine cytomegalovirus reactivation concomitant with acute graft-versus-host disease is controlled by antibodies

Reactivation of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) from latency is a frequent complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The development of acute graft -versus-host disease (GVHD) is a significant risk factor for HCMV disease. Using a murine GVHD model in animals latently infected with murine CMV (MCMV), we studied preventive and therapeutic interventions in this high-risk scenario of HSCT. Mice latently infected with MCMV experienced reactivated MCMV and developed disseminated MCMV infection concomitant with the manifestations of GVHD. Dissemination was accompanied by accelerated mortality. We demonstrate that MCMV reactivation and dissemination was modulated by MCMV-specific antibodies, thus demonstrating in vivo protective activity of antiviral antibodies. However, the efficacy of serum therapy required repetitive doses of high-titer immune serum secondary to the shortened serum half-life of IgG in animals with GVHD. In a complementary approach, treatment of GVHD by adoptive transfer of donor-derived Tregs facilitated production of MCMV-specific antibodies from newly developing donor-derived B cells. Together, our findings strongly suggest that antibodies play a major role in controlling recurrent MCMV infection that follows GVHD, and they argue for reassessing the potential of antibody treatments as well as therapeutic strategies that enhance de novo antibody development against HCMV.

Automated summary

Reactivation of human cytomegalovirus is a common complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Graft-versus-host disease increases the risk of HCMV disease. In a murine model, we found that mice with latent MCMV infection experienced reactivation and dissemination of the virus when GVHD occurred, leading to increased mortality. MCMV-specific antibodies were shown to modulate the reactivation and dissemination of MCMV, highlighting the potential of antibody treatments and strategies to enhance antibody development against HCMV.