Epstein-Barr virus infection: the micro and macro worlds

Abstract

Epstein‒Barr virus (EBV) is a DNA virus that belongs to the human B lymphotropic herpesvirus family and is highly prevalent in the human population. Once infected, a host can experience latent infection because EBV evades the immune system, leading to hosts harboring the virus for their lifetime. EBV is associated with many diseases and causes significant challenges to human health. This review first offers a description of the natural history of EBV infection, clarifies the interaction between EBV and the immune system, and finally focuses on several major types of diseases caused by EBV infection.

Epstein–Barr Virus Latent Membrane Protein 2A (LMP2A) Enhances ATP Production in B Cell Tumors through mTOR and HIF-1α

“…During EBV latency, the virus exists in multiple latency states [8,44]. In proliferating, newly-infected naïve B cells and EBV-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative B cell disorders, EBV expresses Stage III latency in which all latency proteins (all EBNAs, LMP1, LMP2A, LMP2B) and non-encoding EBV-encoded RNAs (EBERs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) are expressed.…”

“…During Stage II latency, which is found in germinal center B cells and EBV-associated lymphomas, there is more restriction on gene expression in which EBNA-1, LMP1, LMP2A, EBERs, and miRNAs are produced. In the Latency Zero and Latency I stages, which are found in memory B cells, there is even more restriction on EBV gene expression in which only EBNA1, EBERs, and miRNAs are expressed in order to hide from the immune system [8,44]. Of these proteins listed above, EBV utilizes EBV latency proteins found in each of these latency programs to enhance B cell metabolism and/or HIF-1α production.…”

“…While the initial infection of EBV is often asymptomatic or results in infectious mononucleosis, the latent viral state after initial infection serves as a reservoir for the precursors of malignant B cell transformation in EBV-associated lymphomas [6,7]. There are multiple stages of EBV latency, which are defined by differences in gene expression [8]. However, one EBV latency protein, Latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A), is identified in both fully developed EBV lymphomas and latently-infected B cells, which serve as the precursor to malignant EBV lymphomas [9].…”

Research Advances in Infectious Mononucleosis Caused by Epstein-Barr Virus

“…The exact pathogenic mechanisms of infectious mononucleosis remain incon- (LMPs), EBV Nuclear Antigens (EBNAs), and a small amount of small noncoding RNAs. These proteins help maintain the latent state while also promoting the survival and proliferation of infected B cells post-infection [12] [13].…”