Eranda Berisha, a researcher originally from Pristina who has been living and working in the United States for several years, has published her latest scientific study on KSHV (Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus) in collaboration with researcher Erica L. Sanchez at the University of Texas at Dallas.
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| Researcher Eranda Berisha presenting her study on KSHV at an academic poster session. The Pristina-born biologist, alongside co-researcher Erica L. Sanchez at the University of Texas at Dallas, published findings in the journal Viruses showing how the cellular protein FABP4 supports maximal infectious virion production during active KSHV infection [cite: Eranda Berisha, a researcher originally from Pristina who has been living and working in the United States for several years, has published her latest scientific study on KSHV (Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus) in collaboration with researcher Erica L. Sanchez at the University of Texas at Dallas., The study, published on August 11, 2026, in the international journal Viruses, is titled “Global Lipidomic Analysis of Lytic KSHV Infection: The Lipid Chaperone FABP4 Supports Maximal Infectious Virion Production.”, The research provides new insights into how KSHV uses human cells during active infection and identifies a cellular protein that appears to play an important role in the virus's ability to produce new infectious particles.]. Berisha teaches at UT Dallas and is scheduled to defend her PhD dissertation in December 2026 [cite: Eranda Berisha’s Scientific Career in the United States, She also teaches the course “Cell” at the university and is continuing her academic career in the United States., According to the information provided, Berisha is expected to defend her PhD dissertation in December 2026. |
The research provides new insights into how KSHV uses human cells during active infection and identifies a cellular protein that appears to play an important role in the virus's ability to produce new infectious particles.
What Did the Researchers Discover?
In simple terms, the study focused on a key question: What happens inside a human cell when KSHV becomes active and begins producing new viruses?
The researchers found that the virus alters the way infected cells process and use lipids, or fats. These changes appear to create conditions that are more favorable for viral replication and the production of new infectious virions.
One of the most significant findings involves a protein known as FABP4.
FABP4 normally plays a role in cells by helping transport and manage fatty acids. However, during active KSHV infection, the researchers observed a significant increase in FABP4 levels.
To determine whether FABP4 was actually important for viral production, the researchers reduced its levels in infected cells and also inhibited its activity using a substance that blocks its function.
The result was significant: when FABP4 was reduced or inhibited, the production of infectious virus decreased substantially.
This suggests that FABP4 is not simply a protein whose levels change during infection. Instead, it appears to help KSHV maximize the production of new infectious viral particles.
Why Is the FABP4 Discovery Important?
The importance of the research lies in the possibility of identifying cellular factors that viruses depend on for replication.
If a virus requires a particular protein or cellular pathway to reproduce efficiently, that factor could potentially become a target for future research aimed at limiting viral replication.
In the case of KSHV, FABP4 could represent a potential target for future therapeutic research.
However, the findings do not mean that a new treatment for KSHV has already been developed. Considerably more research would be required to determine whether targeting FABP4 could eventually lead to a safe and effective treatment for patients.
The study instead establishes a new connection between KSHV infection, cellular lipid metabolism and FABP4, providing researchers with another potential avenue for understanding how the virus manipulates human cells.
Eranda Berisha’s Scientific Career in the United States
Eranda Berisha has been living and working in the United States for several years and is involved in scientific research in the field of biology at the University of Texas at Dallas.
She also teaches the course “Cell” at the university and is continuing her academic career in the United States.
The publication of the KSHV study represents another important milestone in her scientific career. According to the information provided, Berisha is expected to defend her PhD dissertation in December 2026.
Her latest publication is also a notable achievement for the Albanian community in Kosovo and the diaspora, highlighting the contribution of Albanian-origin researchers to international scientific research.
The study was published in Viruses under the journal's General Virology section on August 11, 2026, and is available to read in English.