Identification of Host Biomarkers of Epstein-Barr Virus Latency IIb and Latency III
Year: 2019
Type: article
Abstract: EBV is a ubiquitous pathogen, with >95% of adults harboring a life-long latent infection in memory B cells. In immunocompromised individuals, latent EBV infection can result in lymphoma. The established expression profile of these lymphomas is latency III, which includes expression of all latency genes. However, single-cell analysis of EBV latent gene expression in these lymphomas suggests heterogeneity where most cells express the transcription factor, EBNA2, and only a fraction of the cells express membrane protein LMP1. Our work describes an early phase after infection where the EBNAs are expressed without LMP1, called latency IIb. However, LMP1 levels within latency III vary widely, making these states hard to discriminate. This may have important implications for therapeutic responses. It is crucial to distinguish these states to understand the molecular pathogenesis of these lymphomas. Ultimately, better tools to understand the heterogeneity of these cancers will support more-efficacious therapies in the future.
Source: mBio
Institutions: Duke University, Duke Medical Center
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,900
OpenAlex ID: W2955635129