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An Efficient and Simple Method to Establish NK and T Cell Lines from Patients with Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus Infection
Published on: March 30, 2018
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Epstein-Barr Virus and the Human Leukocyte Antigen Complex
1Medical Virology Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
Current Clinical Microbiology Reports
|October 23, 2020
Summary
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) exploits human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II to infect cells. Genetic variations in HLA class I and II influence EBV susceptibility and disease severity.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects most adults, but a small percentage remain uninfected.
- The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex plays a crucial role in pathogen control and immune response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex polymorphisms on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and associated diseases.
- To understand the role of HLA class I and II in EBV susceptibility and pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of HLA class I and II expression and function in relation to EBV infection.
- Correlation of specific HLA alleles with EBV serostatus and disease outcomes.
Main Results:
- EBV proteins and miRNAs down-regulate HLA class I and II expression on cell surfaces.
- HLA class II acts as a receptor for EBV entry into B cells.
- Specific HLA class II alleles are linked to B cell susceptibility to EBV infection in vitro and human serostatus.
- HLA class I polymorphisms correlate with infectious mononucleosis severity and EBV-associated malignancies risk.
Conclusions:
- EBV has evolved to utilize MHC class II as a viral entry receptor.
- Polymorphisms in both MHC class I and II significantly impact EBV infection and disease development.
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