Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Establishment of Epstein-Barr Virus Growth-transformed Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines
Published on: November 8, 2011
Alterations in the Rho pathway contribute to Epstein-Barr virus-induced lymphomagenesis in immunosuppressed
Sung-Yup Cho1, Chang Ohk Sung2,3, Jeesoo Chae4
1Ewha Institute of Convergence Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (EBV+-DLBLs) tend to occur in immunocompromised patients, such as the elderly or those undergoing solid organ transplantation. The pathogenesis and genomic characteristics of EBV+-DLBLs are largely unknown because of the limited availability of human samples and lack of experimental animal models. We observed the development of 25 human EBV+-DLBLs during the engraftment of gastric adenocarcinomas into immunodeficient mice. An integrated genomic analysis of the human-derived EBV+-DLBLs revealed enrichment of mutations in Rho pathway genes, including RHPN2, and Rho pathway transcriptomic activation. Targeting the Rho pathway using a Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, fasudil, markedly decreased tumor growth in EBV+-DLBL patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. Thus, alterations in the Rho pathway appear to contribute to EBV-induced lymphomagenesis in immunosuppressed environments.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (EBV+-DLBLs) tend to occur in immunocompromised patients, such as the elderly or those undergoing solid organ transplantation. The pathogenesis and genomic characteristics of EBV+-DLBLs are largely unknown because of the limited availability of human samples and lack of experimental animal models. We observed the development of 25 human EBV+-DLBLs during the engraftment of gastric adenocarcinomas into immunodeficient mice. An integrated genomic analysis of the human-derived EBV+-DLBLs revealed enrichment of mutations in Rho pathway genes, including RHPN2, and Rho pathway transcriptomic activation. Targeting the Rho pathway using a Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, fasudil, markedly decreased tumor growth in EBV+-DLBL patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. Thus, alterations in the Rho pathway appear to contribute to EBV-induced lymphomagenesis in immunosuppressed environments.
Related Concept Videos
Small GTPases - Ras and Rho
Three regulatory proteins control their activity:
Cell Polarization by Rho Proteins
C4 Pathway and CAM
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...
Alterations in Respiration II
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes...
Binet's Contribution to Measures of Intelligence
What are Viruses?

