Systematic Reviews
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2025.
World J Virol. Jun 25, 2025; 14(2): 101944
Published online Jun 25, 2025. doi: 10.5501/wjv.v14.i2.101944
Table 2 The mechanisms of cytomegalovirus reactivation
Mechanism
Description
Ref.
Direct suppression of immune cellsCMV interferes with the functionality and control of the host immune system through the direct suppression of certain immune cellsFornara et al[13]
Alteration in cytokine proliferationCMV alters the proliferation of cytokines, impacting the immune responseCompton et al[14]
Downregulation of MHCCMV downregulates MHC expressed on the surface of viral-laden cells, impairing immune recognitionVancíková and Dvorák[15], Gabor et al[16], Park et al[17], Howard and Najarian[18]
Altered production of proinflammatory cytokinesReactivation involves the altered production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor-alphaChinta et al[24]
Suppression of T-cell responseImmune-modulating diseases and drugs suppress T-cell response, contributing to reactivationChinta et al[24], Döcke et al[25]
Altered Treg actionChanges in Treg action affect immune regulation and promote reactivationChinta et al[24], Döcke et al[25]
Induction of transcription factorsReactive oxygen species induce transcription factors like activator protein-1 and nuclear factor kappa B, leading to gene expression changes associated with CMV reactivationJaneway et al[26], Heald-Sargent et al[27], Dhar et al[28]
DNA hypomethylationHypomethylation of DNA impacts gene expression and can contribute to the reactivation of CMVPshenichkin et al[29]
Effects of HSPDestructive effects of HSPs facilitate reactivationBoom et al[30]
Stress and chronic inflammatory responseStress and chronic inflammation alter biochemical cascades, leading to reactivationIwatani et al[20], Mariotti et al[21], Cook et al[22], Hanaoka et al[23]
PregnancyPregnancy-induced changes in the immune system can trigger reactivationIwatani et al[20], Mariotti et al[21], Cook et al[22], Hanaoka et al[23]
Immune-modulating drugsDrugs that modulate the immune system can contribute to reactivationIwatani et al[20], Mariotti et al[21], Cook et al[22], Hanaoka et al[23]
Nutritional deficiencyLack of essential nutrients impacts immune function and may lead to reactivationIwatani et al[20], Mariotti et al[21], Cook et al[22], Hanaoka et al[23]
AgingAge-related decline in immune function increases the risk of reactivationIwatani et al[20], Mariotti et al[21], Cook et al[22], Hanaoka et al[23]
Co-morbidities (e.g., diabetes, HIV/AIDS)Co-existing health conditions like diabetes and HIV/AIDS alter immune responses and facilitate reactivationIwatani et al[20], Mariotti et al[21], Cook et al[22], Hanaoka et al[23]