Human cytomegalovirus infection of human adipose-derived stromal/stem cells restricts differentiation along the adipogenic lineage

Human adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) display potential to be used in regenerative stem cell therapies and as treatments for inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Despite promising use of ASCs as therapeutics, little is known about their susceptibility to infectious agents. In this study, we demonstrate that ASCs are highly susceptible to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection and permissive for replication leading to release of infectious virions. Additionally, many basic ASC functions are inhibited during HCMV infection, such as differentiation and immunomodulatory potential. To our knowledge this is the first study examining potential adverse effects of HCMV infection on ASC biology. Our results suggest, that an active HCMV infection during ASC therapy may result in a poor clinical outcome due to interference by the virus.