Latent Epstein-Barr Virus Infections
Elliott Kieff, Eric Johannsen, and Michael Calderwood
from: Epstein-Barr Virus: Latency and Transformation (Edited by: Erle S. Robertson). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2010)
Abstract
In primary infection, Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) replicates in oro-pharyngeal epithelial cells and establishes Latency III, II, and I infections in B-lymphocytes. EBV latent infection of B-lymphocytes is necessary for virus persistence, subsequent replication in epithelial cells, and release of infectious virus into saliva. EBV Latency III and II infections of B-lymphocytes, Latency II infection of oral epithelial cells, and Latency II infection of NK- or T-cell can result in malignancies, marked by uniform EBV genome presence and gene expression. Because of the marked CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell response to EBV nuclear proteins in Latency III infected B-lymphocytes, EBV associated lymphoid malignancies are most common in immune compromised people, whereas EBV associated Latency II infected anaplastic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma is not more common in immune compromised people and is most common in otherwise normal Southestern Chinese people. This introduction highlights key aspects of what has been learned over the past 45 years about the role of EBV Latent infection associated gene expression in maintaining EBV episomes in dividing cells and in increasing cell growth and survival. We expect that a clear view of the current picture and access to more detailed references can be useful for applying new experimental approaches. The ensuing chapters are intended to fulfill those missions read more ...
