Platelet-derived growth factor-α receptor activation is required for human cytomegalovirus infection

Human platelet derived growth factor-alpha (PDGFR-α) receptor has been found to be a requirement for the infection of human cells by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), the herpesvirus that's the most common cause of congenital human infections, and causes life threatening disease in HIV-infected and transplant patients. If the receptor is inactivated, HCMV cannot enter the cell and viral genes are not expressed. Importantly, two currently available pharmaceutical agents — the anticancer drug imatinib (Gleevec) and PDGFR-α blocking antibody IMC-3G3 — are active against the virus in human cells suggesting that they might prove useful in the treatment of HCMV infection.