Human herpesvirus 7 infection impairs the survival/differentiation of megakaryocytic cells

In vitro infection of CD61+ megakaryocytic cells with human herpesvirus-7 (HHV-7) induced a drastic increase of apoptosis. Moreover, cells surviving HHV-7 cytotoxicity showed enhanced megakaryocytic maturation with respect to control cultures. These data suggest that HHV-7 reactivation in the bone marrow of HIV-1 infected individuals may contribute to impair megakaryocytopoiesis.