Neuropilin-1 is required for Lytic Replication in a Subset of Primary Effusion Lymphoma Cell Lines and for KSHV gene expression in Primary Endothelial Cells

While newer regimens now exist, PEL still has poorer outcomes compared to other HIV-associated lymphomas. Since PEL B cells lack typical B cell markers, we aim to identify other surface proteins in disease cells that may act as possible diagnostic or prognostic markers.

We performed single cell DNA-seq and antibody derived tag-seq on BCBL1 (KSHV+/EBV-) and LCL (KSHV-/EBV+ lymphoblastoid cell line) cells to determine which surface markers are specific for KSHV+ PEL. We identified Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) as a surface marker that is overexpressed in KSHV+ PEL cell lines (BCBL1, JSC1), but not in EBV+ LCL cells. NRP1 depletion during reactivation reduced lytic transcription, virion production and infectivity of NRP1+ PEL cell lines.