KSHV vIL-6 Enhances Inflammatory Responses by Epigenetic Reprogramming.

Combined and continuous cytokine stimulation triggers transcription reprogramming and is often used for specific tissue development. Continuous vIL-6 exposure occurs in KSHV-infected patients and leads to inflammatory cytokine storm with high mortality. However, possible epigenetic reprogramming by the vIL-6 and its association with pathogenesis remain unclear. Here we demonstrate the establishment of a new chromatin landscape mediated by BRD4 through prolonged vIL-6 exposure which contributes to more robust and rapid transcription and increased cytokines production. Inhibition of BRD4 suppressed this inflammatory response. Our results indicate that targeting the epigenetic effect of viral cytokines may lead to novel therapies for KSHV-induced inflammatory cytokine storms.