Viral and host network analysis of the human cytomegalovirus transcriptome in latency

To investigate HCMV (and human host) gene expression profile during latency and reactivation, we infected THP-1 cells with the wildtype HCMV-TB40E or with recombinant viruses that cannot establish latency (UL138stop) or cannot reactivate (UL135stop). After the establishment of viral latency, we treated cells with TPA to induce cellular differentiation and viral reactivation. We then performed gene expression profiling analysis using data obtained from RNA-seq over a timecourse of undifferentiated and differentiated cells that are infected with each virus. Uninfected cells are included as a control for gene expression changes that are virally induced.