Modeling and Remodeling the Cell: How Digital Twins and HCMV Can Elucidate the Complex Interactions of Viral Latency, Epigenetic Regulation, and Immune Responses

Purpose of Review: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), while asymptomatic in most, causes significant complications during fetal development, following transplant or in immunosuppressed individuals. The host-virus interactions regulating viral latency and reactivation and viral control of the cellular environment (immune regulation, differentiation, epigenetics) are highly complex. Understanding these processes is essential to controlling infection and can be leveraged as a novel approach for understanding basic cell biology. Recent Findings: Immune digital twins (IDTs) are digital simulations integrating knowledge of human immunology, physiology, and patient-specific clinical data to predict individualized immune responses and targeted treatments. Recent studies used IDTs to elucidate mechanisms of T cells, dendritic cells, and epigenetic control—all key to HCMV biology. Summary: Here, we discuss how leveraging the unique biology of HCMV and IDTs will clarify immune response dynamics, host-virus interactions, and viral latency and reactivation and serve as a powerful IDT-validation platform for individualized and holistic health management.