HCMV latent infection downregulates HIV-1 restriction factors in PB-CD34 cells. (A) qPCR analysis of SAMHD1, APOBEC3G, Mx2, and tetherin gene expression following mock and HCMV strain Towne infection of PB-CD34 cells in a time course experiment (n = 8). GAPDH was used for normalization. (B) Western blotting analysis of protein expression of SAMHD1, APOBEC3G, Mx2, tetherin, and β-actin between mock and HCMV strain Towne-infected PB-CD34 cells at day 5 PI. (C) PB-CD34 cells were infected with mock, Merlin, or UV-inactivated Merlin for 5 days PI before being analyzed for expression of restriction factors and β-actin by qPCR normalized to GAPDH (n = 4). (D) Supernatants from mock- or HCMV-infected PB-CD34 cells at day 5 PI were added to other independent PB-CD34 cells (n = 4) and expression of genes measured by qPCR. Column graphs show data as mean ± SEM. *P < .05, **P < .01, ***P < .001.