Expression of BARF1 gene encoded by Epstein-Barr virus in nasopharyngeal carcinoma biopsies.

We reported previously that the EBV BARF1 open reading frame encodes a Mr 31,000-33,000 protein (p31) with potential transforming and oncogenic properties. This gene was found capable of transforming both: (a) the rodent fibroblast lines Balbc/3T3 and NIH3T3 into cells producing aggressive tumors in newborn rats; and (b) the human EBV-negative B-cell line Louckes into cells leading to small tumors, which disappeared 3 weeks after injection. Our recent study showed that BARF1 ORF expression may confer the property of immortalization to primary kidney epithelial cells (M.

Control of apoptosis in Epstein Barr virus-positive nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells: opposite effects of CD95 and CD40 stimulation.

The expression and function of CD95 and CD40 were investigated in malignant cells from EBV-positive undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs). Large amounts of CD95 and CD40 expression were detected in 15 of 16 EBV-positive NPC specimens. In contrast, CD95 was not detected in two biopsies from patients with EBV-negative differentiated NPCs.

Expression of the DNase encoded by the BGLF5 gene of Epstein-Barr virus in nasopharyngeal carcinoma epithelial cells.

In contrast with most Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected healthy carriers, nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients frequently have increased serum levels of antibodies directed against EBV-DNase. These antibodies are potentially interesting serological markers for the diagnosis and the follow-up of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this context, it is important to determine whether malignant EBV-infected cells are the source of significant amounts of EBV-DNase contributing to antigenic stimulation.

Transcriptional expression of Epstein-Barr virus genes and proto-oncogenes in north African nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) from North Africa show an unusual bimodal age distribution. As elsewhere, the tumor is closely associated with the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The expression of EBV genes and c-onc genes was studied in biopsy specimens from tumors at different clinical stages from 11 young (10 to 30-year-old) and 11 adult (30 to 65-year-old) patients.