Epstein-Barr virus lytic replication and cancer.

Epidemiological studies have provided strong evidence that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) lytic replication is linked to cancer development. Evidence of abortive lytic replication in some tumors and infections with recombinant viruses incapable of lytic replication in animal models have reinforced this view. Furthermore, multiple lytic proteins have been shown to induce genetic instability, a well-characterized precancerous state.

Transmission of an Epstein-Barr Strain Common in South-East China to a Western Individual.

Epstein-Barr virus strains present in South-East Asia are tightly associated with nasopharyngeal carcinomas. We report the case of a Caucasian female who presented with an infectious mononucleosis syndrome. Sequencing demonstrated that she had been infected with a virus of Chinese origin that is thus spreading into European countries.

Epstein-Barr virus infectious particles initiate B cell transformation and modulate cytokine response.

The Epstein-Barr virus efficiently infects and transforms B lymphocytes. During this process, infectious viral particles transport the viral genome to the nucleus of target cells. We show here that these complex viral structures serve additional crucial roles by activating transcription of the transforming genes encoded by the virus.

Latent membrane protein 1 and macrophage-derived TNFα synergistically activate and mobilize invadopodia to drive invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Invadopodia are actin-rich membrane protrusions that digest the matrix barrier during cancer metastasis. Since the discovery of invadopodia, they have been visualized as localized and dot-like structures in different types of cancer cells on top of a 2D matrix. In this investigation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a highly invasive cancer frequently accompanied by neck lymph node and distal organ metastases, we revealed a new form of invadopodium with mobilizing features.