E pstein– B arr Virus

Abstract

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous gamma herpesvirus aetiologically linked to different lymphoid and epithelial malignancies and a number of systemic autoimmune diseases. The virus has a unique ability to transform resting B lymphocytes in vitro by expressing a set of latent genes, subsets of which are present in EBV‐associated tumours. EBV exploits the physiology of normal B‐cell differentiation to persist within the memory B‐cell pool of the immunocompetent host with strong T‐cell responses important for controlling EBV infection. Immunosuppressed transplant recipients and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected individuals are at increased risk of developing EBV‐transformed B‐cell proliferations which often present as monoclonal non‐Hodgkin lymphomas. The major EBV‐associated tumours (Burkitt lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma) show restricted forms of latent viral gene expression reflecting a more complex pathogenesis involving additional cofactors. A number of pharmacological and immunotherapeutic approaches are being developed to treat or prevent these EBV‐associated tumours. Key Concepts Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection is implicated in the aetiology of several different lymphoid and epithelial malignancies, as well as a number of systemic autoimmune diseases. EBV exploits the physiology of normal B‐cell differentiation to persist within the memory B‐cell pool of the immunocompetent host. EBV‐encoded latent genes induce B‐cell transformation in vitro by altering cellular gene transcription and constitutively activating key cell signalling pathways. Immunosuppressed transplant patients are at risk of developing EBV‐transformed B‐cell proliferations presenting as B‐cell lymphomas. Other EBV‐associated tumours display more restricted forms of latent gene expression, reflecting more complex pathogenesis involving additional cofactors. EBV sequence variation may reflect disease risk. Pharmacological and immunotherapeutic approaches are being developed to treat or prevent EBV‐associated tumours. More direct vaccine approaches are being examined for the treatment and prevention of EBV‐associated diseases.

The EBV-Encoded Oncoprotein, LMP1, Induces an Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) via Its CTAR1 Domain through Integrin-Mediated ERK-MAPK Signalling

“…This ubiquitous virus encodes a number of latent gene products involved in establishing latent viral infection, long-term episomal maintenance, and cellular transformation in the human host. As such, infection with EBV is associated with a number of B cell and epithelial malignancies, many of which display distinct geographical distribution and exhibit other co-operative causal factors [ 1 ]. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a relatively rare head and neck cancer on the global scale, but geographically, has particularly high rates of incidence in Southeast Asia due to confounding causal factors, including dietary, environmental and genetic risk factors [ 2 ].…”

Acute Epstein‐Barr virus associated haemophagocytosis in an Asian female: What is the diagnosis?

“…6 The incidence of EBV infection in the community is high with over 90% of the world's population being EBV carriers. 6 It is transmitted by infected saliva and establishes latency in peripheral blood B cells without causing disease in healthy individuals. 6 In some cases, primary EBV infection can present as infectious mononucleosis, with transient symptoms including fever, hepatosplenomegaly, pharyngitis, and lymphadenopathy.…”

“…Epstein-Barr virus is a double stranded DNA virus of the herpes virus family. 6 The incidence of EBV infection in the community is high with over 90% of the world's population being EBV carriers. 6 It is transmitted by infected saliva and establishes latency in peripheral blood B cells without causing disease in healthy individuals.…”

The EBV-Encoded Oncoprotein, LMP1, Recruits and Transforms Fibroblasts via an ERK-MAPK-Dependent Mechanism

“…Amongst these virus-associated cancers is nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a type of head and neck cancer that, whilst relatively rare globally (1.2 cases per 100,000 in the global population), exhibits high incidence rates in parts of Southeast Asia, with between 15–50 cases per 100,000 in the population [ 1 ]. NPC is linked with multiple aetiological factors, including dietary and environmental risk factors, genetic predisposition, and of course, infection with EBV [ 2 ].…”