HHV-8 contributes to cancer development through several mechanisms:
Latency-Associated Nuclear Antigen (LANA): This viral protein helps the virus evade the host immune system and promotes cell survival and proliferation. Viral Cyclin: Mimics cellular cyclins to drive the cell cycle forward, leading to uncontrolled cell division. vIL-6: A viral interleukin-6 homolog that promotes inflammation and angiogenesis, which are critical for tumor growth.
