The role of Epstein–Barr virus-encoded latent membrane proteins in host immune escape

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan Jiang ◽  
Yuan Ding ◽  
Shuzhen Liu ◽  
Bing Luo

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is a type IV herpesvirus that widely infects the vast majority of adults, and establishes a latent infection pattern in host cells to escape the clearance of immune system. The virus is intimately associated with the occurrence and progression of lymphomas and epithelial cell cancers. EBV latent membrane proteins (LMPs) can assist its immune escape by downregulating host immune response. Besides EBV, LMPs have important effects on the functions of exosomes and autophagy, which also help EBV to escape immune surveillance. These escape mechanisms may provide conditions for further development of EBV-associated tumors. In this article, we discussed the potential functions of EBV-encoded LMPs in promoting immune escape.

Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 461
Author(s):  
Rancés Blanco ◽  
Francisco Aguayo

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection is associated with a subset of both lymphoid and epithelial malignancies. During the EBV latency program, some viral products involved in the malignant transformation of infected cells are expressed. Among them, the BamHI-A rightward frame 1 (BARF1) is consistently detected in nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC) and EBV-associated gastric carcinomas (EBVaGCs) but is practically undetectable in B-cells and lymphomas. Although BARF1 is an early lytic gene, it is expressed during epithelial EBV latency, mainly as a secreted protein (sBARF1). The capacity of sBARF1 to disrupt both innate and adaptive host antiviral immune responses contributes to the immune escape of infected cells. Additionally, BARF1 increases cell proliferation, shows anti-apoptotic effects, and promotes an increased hTERT activity and tumor formation in nude mice cooperating with other host proteins such as c-Myc and H-ras. These facts allow for the consideration of BARF1 as a key protein for promoting EBV-associated epithelial tumors. In this review, we focus on structural and functional aspects of BARF1, such as mechanisms involved in epithelial carcinogenesis and its capacity to modulate the host immune response.


2015 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 1359-1368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyoji Kim ◽  
Hoyun Choi ◽  
Suk Kyeong Lee

ABSTRACTEpstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human gammaherpesvirus associated with a variety of tumor types. EBV can establish latency or undergo lytic replication in host cells. In general, EBV remains latent in tumors and expresses a limited repertoire of latent proteins to avoid host immune surveillance. When the lytic cycle is triggered by some as-yet-unknown form of stimulation, lytic gene expression and progeny virus production commence. Thus far, the exact mechanism of EBV latency maintenance and thein vivotriggering signal for lytic induction have yet to be elucidated. Previously, we have shown that the EBV microRNA miR-BART20-5p directly targets the immediate early genesBRLF1andBZLF1as well asBcl-2-associated death promoter (BAD) in EBV-associated gastric carcinoma. In this study, we found that both mRNA and protein levels ofBRLF1andBZLF1were suppressed in cells followingBADknockdown and increased afterBADoverexpression. Progeny virus production was also downregulated by specific knockdown ofBAD. Our results demonstrated thatcaspase-3-dependent apoptosis is a prerequisite forBAD-mediated EBV lytic cycle induction. Therefore, our data suggest that miR-BART20-5p plays an important role in latency maintenance and tumor persistence of EBV-associated gastric carcinoma by inhibitingBAD-mediatedcaspase-3-dependent apoptosis, which would trigger immediate early gene expression.IMPORTANCEEBV has an ability to remain latent in host cells, including EBV-associated tumor cells hiding from immune surveillance. However, the exact molecular mechanisms of EBV latency maintenance remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrated that miR-BART20-5p inhibited the expression of EBV immediate early genes indirectly, by suppressingBAD-inducedcaspase-3-dependent apoptosis, in addition to directly, as we previously reported. Our study suggests that EBV-associated tumor cells might endure apoptotic stress to some extent and remain latent with the aid of miR-BART20-5p. Blocking the expression or function of BART20-5p may expedite EBV-associated tumor cell death via immune attack and apoptosis.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1479
Author(s):  
Diego Germini ◽  
Fatimata Bintou Sall ◽  
Anna Shmakova ◽  
Joëlle Wiels ◽  
Svetlana Dokudovskaya ◽  
...  

Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) is one of the most common human herpesviruses. After primary infection, it can persist in the host throughout their lifetime in a latent form, from which it can reactivate following specific stimuli. EBV reactivation is triggered by transcriptional transactivator proteins ZEBRA (also known as Z, EB-1, Zta or BZLF1) and RTA (also known as BRLF1). Here we discuss the structural and functional features of ZEBRA, its role in oncogenesis and its possible implication as a prognostic or diagnostic marker. Modulation of host gene expression by ZEBRA can deregulate the immune surveillance, allow the immune escape, and favor tumor progression. It also interacts with host proteins, thereby modifying their functions. ZEBRA is released into the bloodstream by infected cells and can potentially penetrate any cell through its cell-penetrating domain; therefore, it can also change the fate of non-infected cells. The features of ZEBRA described in this review outline its importance in EBV-related malignancies.


2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (8) ◽  
pp. 4108-4119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen D. Cahir-McFarland ◽  
Kara Carter ◽  
Andreas Rosenwald ◽  
Jena M. Giltnane ◽  
Sarah E. Henrickson ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latency III infection converts B lymphocytes into lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) by expressing EBV nuclear and membrane proteins, EBNAs, and latent membrane proteins (LMPs), which regulate transcription through Notch and tumor necrosis factor receptor pathways. The role of NF-κB in LMP1 and overall EBV latency III transcriptional effects was investigated by treating LCLs with BAY11-7082 (BAY11). BAY11 rapidly and irreversibly inhibited NF-κB, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, induced apoptosis, and altered LCL gene expression. BAY11 effects were similar to those of an NF-κB inhibitor, ΔN-IκBα, in effecting decreased JNK1 expression and in microarray analyses. More than 80% of array elements that decreased with ΔN-IκBα expression decreased with BAY11 treatment. Newly identified NF-κB-induced, LMP1-induced, and EBV-induced genes included pleckstrin, Jun-B, c-FLIP, CIP4, and IκBε. Of 776 significantly changed array elements, 134 were fourfold upregulated in EBV latency III, and 74 were fourfold upregulated with LMP1 expression alone, whereas only 28 were more than fourfold downregulated by EBV latency III. EBV latency III-regulated gene products mediate cell migration (EBI2, CCR7, RGS1, RANTES, MIP1α, MIP1β, CXCR5, and RGS13), antigen presentation (major histocompatibility complex proteins and JAW1), mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway (DUSP5 and p62Dok), and interferon (IFN) signaling (IFN-γRα, IRF-4, and STAT1). Comparison of EBV latency III LCL gene expression to immunoglobulin M (IgM)-stimulated B cells, germinal-center B cells, and germinal-center-derived lymphomas clustered LCLs with IgM-stimulated B cells separately from germinal-center cells or germinal-center lymphoma cells. Expression of IRF-2, AIM1, ASK1, SNF2L2, and components of IFN signaling pathways further distinguished EBV latency III-infected B cells from IgM-stimulated or germinal-center B cells.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 5189
Author(s):  
Marcus Bauer ◽  
Simon Jasinski-Bergner ◽  
Ofer Mandelboim ◽  
Claudia Wickenhauser ◽  
Barbara Seliger

The detailed mechanisms of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection in the initiation and progression of EBV-associated malignancies are not yet completely understood. During the last years, new insights into the mechanisms of malignant transformation of EBV-infected cells including somatic mutations and epigenetic modifications, their impact on the microenvironment and resulting unique immune signatures related to immune system functional status and immune escape strategies have been reported. In this context, there exists increasing evidence that EBV-infected tumor cells can influence the tumor microenvironment to their own benefit by establishing an immune-suppressive surrounding. The identified mechanisms include EBV gene integration and latent expression of EBV-infection-triggered cytokines by tumor and/or bystander cells, e.g., cancer-associated fibroblasts with effects on the composition and spatial distribution of the immune cell subpopulations next to the infected cells, stroma constituents and extracellular vesicles. This review summarizes (i) the typical stages of the viral life cycle and EBV-associated transformation, (ii) strategies to detect EBV genome and activity and to differentiate various latency types, (iii) the role of the tumor microenvironment in EBV-associated malignancies, (iv) the different immune escape mechanisms and (v) their clinical relevance. This gained information will enhance the development of therapies against EBV-mediated diseases to improve patient outcome.


2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (15) ◽  
pp. 7678-7689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aileen E. Plate ◽  
Jasmina Smajlović ◽  
Theodore S. Jardetzky ◽  
Richard Longnecker

ABSTRACT Glycoprotein L (gL), which complexes with gH, is a conserved herpesvirus protein that is essential for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) entry into host cells. The gH/gL complex has a conserved role in entry among herpesviruses, yet the mechanism is not clear. To gain a better understanding of the role of gL in EBV-mediated fusion, chimeric proteins were made using rhesus lymphocryptovirus (Rh-LCV) gL (Rh gL), which shares a high sequence homology with EBV gL but does not complement EBV gL in mediating fusion with B cells. A reduction in fusion activity was observed with chimeric gL proteins that contained the amino terminus of Rh gL, although they retained their ability to process and transport gH/gL to the cell surface. Amino acids not conserved within this region in EBV gL when compared to Rh gL were further analyzed, with the results mapping residues 54 and 94 as being functionally important for EBV-mediated fusion. All chimeras and mutants displayed levels of cell surface expression similar to that of wild-type gL and interacted with gH and gp42. Our data also suggest that the role of gL involves the activation or recruitment of gB with the gH/gL complex, as we found that reduced fusion of Rh gL, EBV/Rh-LCV chimeras, and gL point mutants could be restored by replacing EBV gB with Rh gB. These observations demonstrate a distinction between the role of gL in the processing and trafficking of gH to the cell surface and a posttrafficking role in cell-cell fusion.


Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 593
Author(s):  
Srikanth Umakanthan ◽  
Maryann M Bukelo

Global genomic studies have detected the role of genomic alterations in the pathogenesis of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-associated tumors. EBV oncoproteins cause a vital shift of EBV from an infectious virus to an oncogenic form during the latent and lytic phase within the lymphoid B cells and epithelial cells. This epigenetic alteration modulates the virus and host genomes and inactivates and disrupts numerous tumor suppressors and signaling pathways. Genomic profiling has played the main role in identifying EBV cancer pathogenesis and its related targeted therapies. This article reviews the role of genetic changes in EBV-associated lymphomas and carcinomas. This includes the prolific molecular genesis, key diagnostic tools, and target-specific drugs that have been in recent clinical use.


Lupus ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 096120332110103
Author(s):  
Anna Truszewska ◽  
Agnieszka Wirkowska ◽  
Kamila Gala ◽  
Piotr Truszewski ◽  
Łucja Krzemień-Ojak ◽  
...  

Background For long Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) has been suspected to be involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to verify the association between EBV, cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and kidney disease in SLE. Methods Blood samples were obtained from 43 SLE patients and 50 healthy individuals. EBV load was measured via real-time PCR assay. Sizing and quantification of plasma cfDNA was performed on Bioanalyzer. We proposed that the uniformity of cfDNA fragmentation can be described using cfDNA fragmentation index. Results SLE patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD +) had higher EBV load compared to CKD(–) patients (P = 0.042). Patients with high cfDNA level had higher EBV load (P = 0.041) and higher cfDNA fragmentation index (P < 0.001) compared to patients with low cfDNA level. Among patients with high cfDNA level, EBV load was higher in CKD(+) group compared to CKD(–) group (P = 0.035). EBV load was positively correlated with the fragmentation index in all SLE patients (P = 0.028, R2 = 0.13), and the correlation was even more pronounced in CKD (+) patients (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.20). Conclusions We showed that EBV load was associated with non-uniform cfDNA fragmentation, higher cfDNA levels, and kidney disease in SLE patients. Although the causality of this relationship could not be determined with the current study, it brings rationale for further investigations on the role of EBV and cfDNA interplay in SLE pathogenesis.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document