Fig 5. Effect of CpG and ganciclovir on proliferation of HCMV-infected leukemia cells.

Kasumi-1 or NB4 cells without (w/o) and with HCMV infection were co-cultured with PBMC without and with CpG-rich ODNs and/or ganciclovir and cell proliferation was measured by H3 thymidine uptake. The addition of CpG-rich ODNs to the co-cultures resulted in significantly higher proliferation of Kasumi-1 cells with vs. without CMV infection (panel A). Ganciclovir and the combination of CpG-rich ODNs and ganciclovir led to significantly increased proliferation in HCMV infected NB4 cells (panel B). Proliferative responses are given as counts per minute (CPM). Kasumi-1 or NB4 cells without and with HCMV infection were compared by Wilcoxon matched pairs test.