Expression of LMP and EBNA genes in Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphomas in Hu-PBL/SCID mice.

Transplantation of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from healthy humans with latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection into severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice results in development of EBV-associated human B-cell lymphoma. However, the expression of EBV genes in relation to lymphoma development has not been reported. We investigated latent membrane protein (LMP) and EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) gene expression in PBLs from EBV-positive blood donors and induced-lymphoma cells from SCID mice to elucidate the functions and effects of the EBV genome in the occurrence and development of lymphoma.

Expression of latent membrane proteins in Epstein‑Barr virus-transformed lymphocytes in vitro.

Infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) induces activation and proliferation of B lymphocytes. Detection of latent membrane protein (LMP)-1 is used to identify the proliferative ability of B cells. However, changes in the expression levels of the three LMPs during EBV-induced B lymphocyte transformation, have not yet been reported.