Cindy A Morris

Publications of Cindy A Morris

• Rotating cell culture systems for human cell culture: human trophoblast cells as a model.

  Authors: Kevin J Zwezdaryk, Jessica A Warner, Heather L Machado, Cindy A Morris, Kerstin Höner zu Bentrup

  Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE. 01/2012;

  The field of human trophoblast research aids in understanding the complex environment established during placentation. Due to the nature of these studies, human in vivo experimentation is impossible.The field of human trophoblast research aids in understanding the complex environment established during placentation. Due to the nature of these studies, human in vivo experimentation is impossible. A combination of primary cultures, explant cultures and trophoblast cell lines support our understanding of invasion of the uterine wall and remodeling of uterine spiral arteries by extravillous trophoblast cells (EVTs), which is required for successful establishment of pregnancy. Despite the wealth of knowledge gleaned from such models, it is accepted that in vitro cell culture models using EVT-like cell lines display altered cellular properties when compared to their in vivo counterparts. Cells cultured in the rotating cell culture system (RCCS) display morphological, phenotypic, and functional properties of EVT-like cell lines that more closely mimic differentiating in utero EVTs, with increased expression of genes mediating invasion (e.g. matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)) and trophoblast differentiation. The Saint Georges Hospital Placental cell Line-4 (SGHPL-4) (kindly donated by Dr. Guy Whitley and Dr. Judith Cartwright) is an EVT-like cell line that was used for testing in the RCCS. The design of the RCCS culture vessel is based on the principle that organs and tissues function in a three-dimensional (3-D) environment. Due to the dynamic culture conditions in the vessel, including conditions of physiologically relevant shear, cells grown in three dimensions form aggregates based on natural cellular affinities and differentiate into organotypic tissue-like assemblies. The maintenance of a fluid orbit provides a low-shear, low-turbulence environment similar to conditions found in vivo. Sedimentation of the cultured cells is countered by adjusting the rotation speed of the RCCS to ensure a constant free-fall of cells. Gas exchange occurs through a permeable hydrophobic membrane located on the back of the bioreactor. Like their parental tissue in vivo, RCCS-grown cells are able to respond to chemical and molecular gradients in three dimensions (i.e. at their apical, basal, and lateral surfaces) because they are cultured on the surface of porous microcarrier beads. When grown as two-dimensional monolayers on impermeable surfaces like plastic, cells are deprived of this important communication at their basal surface. Consequently, the spatial constraints imposed by the environment profoundly affect how cells sense and decode signals from the surrounding microenvironment, thus implying an important role for the 3-D milieu. We have used the RCCS to engineer biologically meaningful 3-D models of various human epithelial tissues. Indeed, many previous reports have demonstrated that cells cultured in the RCCS can assume physiologically relevant phenotypes that have not been possible with other models. In summary, culture in the RCCS represents an easy, reproducible, high-throughput platform that provides large numbers of differentiated cells that are amenable to a variety of experimental manipulations. In the following protocol, using EVTs as an example, we clearly describe the steps required to three-dimensionally culture adherent cells in the RCCS.

• Peptide inhibition of human cytomegalovirus infection.

  Authors: Lilia I Melnik, Robert F Garry, Cindy A Morris

  Virology journal. 02/2011; 8:76.

  Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most prevalent congenital viral infection in the United States and Europe causing significant morbidity and mortality to both mother and child. HCMV is also anHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most prevalent congenital viral infection in the United States and Europe causing significant morbidity and mortality to both mother and child. HCMV is also an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised individuals, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- infected patients with AIDS, and solid organ and allogeneic stem cell transplantation recipients. Current treatments for HCMV-associated diseases are insufficient due to the emergence of drug-induced resistance and cytotoxicity, necessitating novel approaches to limit HCMV infection. The aim of this study was to develop therapeutic peptides targeting glycoprotein B (gB), a major glycoprotein of HCMV that is highly conserved across the Herpesviridae family, that specifically inhibit fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane preventing HCMV entry and infection. Using the Wimley-White Interfacial Hydrophobicity Scale (WWIHS), several regions within gB were identified that display a high potential to interact with lipid bilayers of cell membranes and hydrophobic surfaces within proteins. The ability of synthetic peptides analogous to WWIHS-positive sequences of HCMV gB to inhibit viral infectivity was evaluated. Human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) were infected with the Towne-GFP strain of HCMV (0.5 MOI), preincubated with peptides at a range of concentrations (78 nm to 100 μM), and GFP-positive cells were visualized 48 hours post-infection by fluorescence microscopy and analyzed quantitatively by flow cytometry. Peptides that inhibited HCMV infection demonstrated different inhibitory concentration curves indicating that each peptide possesses distinct biophysical properties. Peptide 174-200 showed 80% inhibition of viral infection at a concentration of 100 μM, and 51% and 62% inhibition at concentrations of 5 μM and 2.5 μM, respectively. Peptide 233-263 inhibited infection by 97% and 92% at concentrations of 100 μM and 50 μM, respectively, and 60% at a concentration of 2.5 μM. While peptides 264-291 and 297-315, individually failed to inhibit viral infection, when combined, they showed 67% inhibition of HCMV infection at a concentration of 0.125 μM each. Peptides designed to target putative fusogenic domains of gB provide a basis for the development of novel therapeutics that prevent HCMV infection.

• Epidermal growth factor-stimulated extravillous cytotrophoblast motility is mediated by the activation of PI3-K, Akt and both p38 and p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinases.

  Authors: Heather L LaMarca, Philip R Dash, Keshika Vishnuthevan, Evelyn Harvey, Deborah E Sullivan, Cindy A Morris, Guy St J Whitley

  Human reproduction (Oxford, England). 08/2008; 23(8):1733-41.

  BACKGROUND: Trophoblast invasion is a temporally and spatially regulated scheme of events that can dictate pregnancy outcome. Evidence suggests that the potent mitogen epidermal growth factor (EGF)BACKGROUND: Trophoblast invasion is a temporally and spatially regulated scheme of events that can dictate pregnancy outcome. Evidence suggests that the potent mitogen epidermal growth factor (EGF) regulates cytotrophoblast (CTB) differentiation and invasion during early pregnancy. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the present study, the first trimester extravillous CTB cell line SGHPL-4 was used to investigate the signalling pathways involved in the motile component of EGF-mediated CTB migration/invasion. EGF induced the phosphorylation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K)-dependent proteins, Akt and GSK-3beta as well as both p42/44 MAPK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). EGF-stimulated motility was significantly reduced following the inhibition of PI3-K (P < 0.001), Akt (P < 0.01) and both p42/44 MAPK (P < 0.001) and p38 MAPKs (P < 0.001) but not the inhibition of GSK-3beta. Further analysis indicated that the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 203580 inhibited EGF-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt on serine 473, which may be responsible for the effect SB 203580 has on CTB motility. Although Akt activation leads to GSK-3beta phosphorylation and the subsequent expression of beta-catenin, activation of this pathway by 1-azakenpaullone was insufficient to stimulate the motile phenotype. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate a role for PI3-K, p42/44 MAPK and p38 MAPK in the stimulation of CTB cell motility by EGF, however activation of beta-catenin alone was insufficient to stimulate cell motility.

• Ovarian cancers overexpress the antimicrobial protein hCAP-18 and its derivative LL-37 increases ovarian cancer cell proliferation and invasion.

  Authors: Seth B Coffelt, Ruth S Waterman, Luisa Florez, Kerstin Höner zu Bentrup, Kevin J Zwezdaryk, Suzanne L Tomchuck, Heather L LaMarca, Elizabeth S Danka, Cindy A Morris, Aline B Scandurro

  International journal of cancer. Journal international du cancer. 04/2008; 122(5):1030-9.

  The role of the pro-inflammatory peptide, LL-37, and its pro-form, human cationic antimicrobial protein 18 (hCAP-18), in cancer development and progression is poorly understood. In damaged andThe role of the pro-inflammatory peptide, LL-37, and its pro-form, human cationic antimicrobial protein 18 (hCAP-18), in cancer development and progression is poorly understood. In damaged and inflamed tissue, LL-37 functions as a chemoattractant, mitogen and pro-angiogenic factor suggesting that the peptide may potentiate tumor progression. The aim of this study was to characterize the distribution of hCAP-18/LL-37 in normal and cancerous ovarian tissue and to examine the effects of LL-37 on ovarian cancer cells. Expression of hCAP-18/LL-37 was localized to immune and granulosa cells of normal ovarian tissue. By contrast, ovarian tumors displayed significantly higher levels of hCAP-18/LL-37 where expression was observed in tumor and stromal cells. Protein expression was statistically compared to the degree of immune cell infiltration and microvessel density in epithelial-derived ovarian tumors and a significant correlation was observed for both. It was demonstrated that ovarian tumor tissue lysates and ovarian cancer cell lines express hCAP-18/LL-37. Treatment of ovarian cancer cell lines with recombinant LL-37 stimulated proliferation, chemotaxis, invasion and matrix metalloproteinase expression. These data demonstrate for the first time that hCAP-18/LL-37 is significantly overexpressed in ovarian tumors and suggest LL-37 may contribute to ovarian tumorigenesis through direct stimulation of tumor cells, initiation of angiogenesis and recruitment of immune cells. These data provide further evidence of the existing relationship between pro-inflammatory molecules and ovarian cancer progression.

• Activation of proMMP-2 and Src by HHV8 vGPCR in human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells.

  Authors: Bin Shan, Cindy A Morris, Ying Zhuo, Bryan D Shelby, Dawn R Levy, Joseph A Lasky

  Journal of molecular and cellular cardiology. 04/2007; 42(3):517-25.

  Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (iPAH) is associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) infection and demonstrates pathological angiogenesis similar to that observed with another HHV8-linkedIdiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (iPAH) is associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) infection and demonstrates pathological angiogenesis similar to that observed with another HHV8-linked disease, namely Kaposi Sarcoma (KS). Importantly, the HHV8 encoded viral G-protein-coupled receptor (vGPCR) induces KS lesions in a murine model. Investigating the impact of vGPCR expression on the angiogenic activity of human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (HPAEC) can yield insight into the pathobiology of HHV8-associated vascular disorders, particularly PAH. Cultured HPAECs were transduced with retroviral vectors carrying either control or vGPCR coding regions. vGPCR expression selectively activated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, a pivotal matrix modulating enzyme during angiogenesis. A membrane type 1 MMP (MT1-MMP) neutralizing antibody and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) independently blocked vGPCR-induced MMP-2 activation. vGPCR expression concordantly promoted MMP-2 activation by increasing MT1-MMP expression while decreasing TIMP-2 expression. vGPCR activated Src kinase as demonstrated by phosphorylation of Src and its substrate focal adhesion kinase (FAK). vGPCR promoted angiogenesis of HPAECs as demonstrated by a substantial increase in tubulogenesis in vitro. The Src inhibitors PP2 and SU6656 significantly diminished vGPCR-induced MMP-2 activation and tubulogenesis. Our findings indicate that vGPCR induces MMP-2 activation in HPAECs through regulation of MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 expression. vGPCR activates Src and inhibition of such activation abrogates proMMP-2 activation and in vitro angiogenesis induced by vGCPR. The current study implicates vGPCR as an etiological agent in iPAH and identifies Src and MMP-2 as potential therapeutic targets in HHV8 associated KS and iPAH.

• Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus G-protein coupled receptor activation of cyclooxygenase-2 in vascular endothelial cells.

  Authors: Bryan D Shelby, Heather L LaMarca, Harris E McFerrin, Anne B Nelson, Joseph A Lasky, Gang Sun, Leslie Myatt, Margaret K Offermann, Cindy A Morris, Deborah E Sullivan

  Virology journal. 02/2007; 4:87.

  BACKGROUND: Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the etiologic agent of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), a highly vascularized neoplasm characterized by endothelial-derived spindle-shaped tumorBACKGROUND: Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the etiologic agent of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), a highly vascularized neoplasm characterized by endothelial-derived spindle-shaped tumor cells. KSHV-infected microvascular endothelial cells demonstrate increased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and KS lesions have high levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a short-lived eicosanoid dependent on cyclooxygenase activity that has been linked to pathogenesis of other neoplasias. To determine whether increased COX-2 expression and PGE2 production is mediated by the angiogenic and tumorigenic KSHV-encoded G-protein coupled receptor (vGPCR), we developed a recombinant retrovirus to express vGPCR in Human Umbilical Vascular Endothelial Cells (HUVEC). RESULTS: In the present study, we show that vGPCR-expressing HUVEC exhibit a spindle-like morphology that is characteristic of KS endothelial cells and demonstrate selective induction of PGE2 and COX-2. By treating vGPCR-expressing HUVEC with selective and non-selective COX inhibitors, we show that vGPCR-induced PGE2 production is dependent on the expression of COX-2 but not COX-1. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results demonstrate that vGPCR induces expression of COX-2 and PGE2 that may mediate the paracrine effects of this key viral protein in KS pathogenesis.

• Evidence of HIV exposure and transient seroreactivity in archived HIV-negative severe hemophiliac sera.

  Authors: Scott A Tenenbaum, Cindy A Morris, Steve S Alexander, Harris E McFerrin, Robert F Garry, Cindy A Leissinger

  Virology journal. 09/2005; 2:65.

  BACKGROUND: Approximately 25% of hemophiliacs that were frequently exposed to blood clotting factor concentrates (CFCs) contaminated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are presently HIVBACKGROUND: Approximately 25% of hemophiliacs that were frequently exposed to blood clotting factor concentrates (CFCs) contaminated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are presently HIV seronegative. In this study, we sought to determine if some of these individuals were at any time transiently HIV seropositive. In the early to mid-1980s the majority of severe hemophilia patients were exposed to CFCs contaminated with HIV. Although many of these hemophiliacs became HIV-positive, a small percentage did not become infected. To determine if some of these individuals successfully resisted viral infection, we attempted to document the presence of transient HIV reactive antibodies in archived plasma samples (1980-1992) from currently HIV-negative severe hemophiliacs who had a high probability of repeated exposure to HIV contaminated CFC. Archived plasma samples were retrospectively tested using an FDA approved HIV-1Ab HIV-1/HIV-2 (rDNA) enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and a HIV-1 Western blot assay (Wb), neither of which were commercially available until the late 1980s, which was after many of these samples had been drawn. RESULTS: We found that during the high risk years of exposure to HIV contaminated CFC (1980-1987), low levels of plasma antibodies reactive with HIV proteins were detectable in 87% (13/15) of the haemophiliacs tested. None of these individuals are presently positive for HIV proviral DNA as assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that some severe hemophiliacs with heavy exposure to infectious HIV contaminated CFC had only transient low-level humoral immune responses reactive with HIV antigens yet remained HIV-negative and apparently uninfected. Our data supports the possibility of HIV exposure without sustained infection and the existence of HIV-natural resistance in some individuals.

• Synergistic inhibition of human cytomegalovirus replication by interferon-alpha/beta and interferon-gamma.

  Authors: Bruno Sainz, Heather L LaMarca, Robert F Garry, Cindy A Morris

  Virology journal. 02/2005; 2:14.

  BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) synergizes with the innate IFNs (IFN-alpha and IFN-beta) to inhibit herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication in vitro.BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) synergizes with the innate IFNs (IFN-alpha and IFN-beta) to inhibit herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication in vitro. To determine whether this phenomenon is shared by other herpesviruses, we investigated the effects of IFNs on human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication. RESULTS: We have found that as with HSV-1, IFN-gamma synergizes with the innate IFNs (IFN-alpha/beta) to potently inhibit HCMV replication in vitro. While pre-treatment of human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) with IFN-alpha, IFN-beta or IFN-gamma alone inhibited HCMV plaque formation by approximately 30 to 40-fold, treatment with IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma or IFN-beta and IFN-gamma inhibited HCMV plaque formation by 163- and 662-fold, respectively. The generation of isobole plots verified that the observed inhibition of HCMV plaque formation and replication in HFFs by IFN-alpha/beta and IFN-gamma was a synergistic interaction. Additionally, real-time PCR analyses of the HCMV immediate early (IE) genes (IE1 and IE2) revealed that IE mRNA expression was profoundly decreased in cells stimulated with IFN-alpha/beta and IFN-gamma (approximately 5-11-fold) as compared to vehicle-treated cells. Furthermore, decreased IE mRNA expression was accompanied by a decrease in IE protein expression, as demonstrated by western blotting and immunofluorescence. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that IFN-alpha/beta and IFN-gamma synergistically inhibit HCMV replication through a mechanism that may involve the regulation of IE gene expression. We hypothesize that IFN-gamma produced by activated cells of the adaptive immune response may potentially synergize with endogenous type I IFNs to inhibit HCMV dissemination in vivo.

• Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 is required for tumor necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in human lung adenocarcinoma cells.

  Authors: Bin Shan, Ying Zhuo, Dawn Chin, Cindy A Morris, Gilbert F Morris, Joseph A Lasky

  The Journal of biological chemistry. 02/2005; 280(2):1103-11.

  The proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) promotes tumor progression through activation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. MMP-9 is a gelatinase secreted by bothThe proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) promotes tumor progression through activation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. MMP-9 is a gelatinase secreted by both cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells, and it contributes to TNF-alpha-stimulated tumor invasion and metastasis. Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), the catalytic component of positive transcription elongation factor-b, phosphorylates serine 2 residues in the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II for productive transcription elongation and is up-regulated upon exposure to various stresses. This study investigated roles of CDK9 in TNF-alpha-stimulated MMP-9 expression in human lung adenocarcinoma cells. CDK9 activity was inhibited using three different strategies, including the CDK9 pharmacological inhibitor 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB), a dominant-negative CDK9, and a CDK9-specific small interfering RNA. All three approaches reduced TNF-alpha-mediated accumulation of MMP-9 in the conditioned media as demonstrated by gelatin zymography. In contrast, transforming growth factor-beta1-induced accumulation of MMP-2 was unaffected by DRB. Expression of the MMP-9 gene was examined using reverse transcription real time PCR and using a transient transfection assay to evaluate MMP-9 promoter activity. DRB reduced the TNF-alpha-induced increase in MMP-9 mRNA levels but did not effect transforming growth factor-beta1-induced MMP-2 mRNA expression. Consistently DRB and dominant-negative CDK9 completely abrogated TNF-alpha-stimulated human MMP-9 promoter activity. TNF-alpha did not regulate expression or localization of CDK9 or its regulatory partner Cyclin T. However, TNF-alpha stimulated CDK9 binding to Cyclin T and MMP-9 gene occupancy by both CDK9 and the serine 2-phosphorylated form of RNA polymerase II. Our findings indicate that CDK9 mediates TNF-alpha-induced MMP-9 transcription. Disruption of TNF-alpha signaling using CDK9 inhibitors could serve as a potential therapeutic strategy against tumor invasion and metastasis.

• Permissive human cytomegalovirus infection of a first trimester extravillous cytotrophoblast cell line.

  Authors: Heather L LaMarca, Bruno Sainz, Cindy A Morris

  Virology journal. 02/2004; 1:8.

  Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the leading cause of congenital viral infection in the United States and Europe. Despite the significant morbidity associated with prenatal HCMV infection, little isHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the leading cause of congenital viral infection in the United States and Europe. Despite the significant morbidity associated with prenatal HCMV infection, little is known about how the virus infects the fetus during pregnancy. To date, primary human cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) have been utilized to study placental HCMV infection and replication; however, the minimal mitotic potential of these cells restricts experimentation to a few days, which may be problematic for mechanistic studies of the slow-replicating virus. The aim of this study was to determine whether the human first trimester CTB cell line SGHPL-4 was permissive for HCMV infection and therefore could overcome such limitations. HCMV immediate early (IE) protein expression was detected as early as 3 hours post-infection in SGHPL-4 cells and progressively increased as a function of time. HCMV growth assays revealed the presence of infectious virus in both cell lysates and culture supernatants, indicating that viral replication and the release of progeny virus occurred. Compared to human fibroblasts, viral replication was delayed in CTBs, consistent with previous studies reporting delayed viral kinetics in HCMV-infected primary CTBs. These results indicate that SGHPL-4 cells are fully permissive for the complete HCMV replicative cycle. Our findings suggest that these cells may serve as useful tools for future mechanistic studies of HCMV pathogenesis during early pregnancy.

• Induction of p53-dependent activation of the human proliferating cell nuclear antigen gene in chromatin by ionizing radiation.

  Authors: Bin Shan, Jin Xu, Ying Zhuo, Cindy A Morris, Gilbert F Morris

  The Journal of biological chemistry. 12/2003; 278(45):44009-17.

  A human fibroblast cell line with conditional p53 expression displayed a p53-dependent increase in both the protein and mRNA levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) after exposure toA human fibroblast cell line with conditional p53 expression displayed a p53-dependent increase in both the protein and mRNA levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) after exposure to ionizing radiation (IR). The combination of p53 induction and IR cooperated to activate a transiently expressed human PCNA promoter-reporter gene via a p53-responsive element. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays with antibodies specific for p53 or p300/CREB-binding protein revealed specific p53-dependent enrichment of PCNA promoter sequences in immunoprecipitates of sheared chromatin prepared from irradiated cells. Maximal and specific association of acetylated histone H4 with the PCNA promoter also depended on p53 induction and exposure to IR. These data demonstrate p53 binding to a target site in the PCNA promoter, recruitment of p300/CREB-binding protein, and localized acetylation of histone H4 in an IR-dependent manner. These molecular events are likely to play a role in mediating activation of PCNA gene expression by p53 during the cellular response to DNA damage. The analyses indicate that the combination of p53 induction and IR activate the PCNA gene via mechanisms similar to that of p21/wild-type p53-activated factor but to a lesser extent. This differential regulation of PCNA and p21/wild-type p53-activated factor may establish the proper ratio of the two proteins to coordinate DNA repair with cell cycle arrest.

• Activation of proMMP-2 and Src by HHV8 vGPCR in human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells

  Authors: Bin Shan, Cindy A. Morris, Ying Zhuo, Bryan D. Shelby, Dawn R. Levy, Joseph A. Lasky

  Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology.

  Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (iPAH) is associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) infection and demonstrates pathological angiogenesis similar to that observed with another HHV8-linkedIdiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (iPAH) is associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) infection and demonstrates pathological angiogenesis similar to that observed with another HHV8-linked disease, namely Kaposi Sarcoma (KS). Importantly, the HHV8 encoded viral G-protein-coupled receptor (vGPCR) induces KS lesions in a murine model. Investigating the impact of vGPCR expression on the angiogenic activity of human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (HPAEC) can yield insight into the pathobiology of HHV8-associated vascular disorders, particularly PAH. Cultured HPAECs were transduced with retroviral vectors carrying either control or vGPCR coding regions. vGPCR expression selectively activated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, a pivotal matrix modulating enzyme during angiogenesis. A membrane type 1 MMP (MT1-MMP) neutralizing antibody and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) independently blocked vGPCR-induced MMP-2 activation. vGPCR expression concordantly promoted MMP-2 activation by increasing MT1-MMP expression while decreasing TIMP-2 expression. vGPCR activated Src kinase as demonstrated by phosphorylation of Src and its substrate focal adhesion kinase (FAK). vGPCR promoted angiogenesis of HPAECs as demonstrated by a substantial increase in tubulogenesis in vitro. The Src inhibitors PP2 and SU6656 significantly diminished vGPCR-induced MMP-2 activation and tubulogenesis. Our findings indicate that vGPCR induces MMP-2 activation in HPAECs through regulation of MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 expression. vGPCR activates Src and inhibition of such activation abrogates proMMP-2 activation and in vitro angiogenesis induced by vGCPR. The current study implicates vGPCR as an etiological agent in iPAH and identifies Src and MMP-2 as potential therapeutic targets in HHV8 associated KS and iPAH.