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Updated: Oct 10, 2025
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Isolation and Quantification of Epstein-Barr Virus from the P3HR1 Cell Line
Published on: September 28, 2022
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Epigenetic control of the Epstein-Barr lifecycle
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 181 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Current Opinion in Virology
|December 10, 2021
Summary
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) manipulates host epigenetics for lifelong infection and cancer. This review details new epigenetic controls over EBV latency and gene expression, aiding future therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epigenetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects most adults globally.
- EBV is linked to multiple sclerosis and causes significant cancer burden.
- EBV controls its lifecycle through epigenetic regulation of latency and lytic gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in understanding epigenetic mechanisms controlling EBV.
- To highlight novel roles of epigenetic factors in EBV lifecycle regulation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific publications.
- Analysis of epigenetic control over EBV gene expression in B and epithelial cells.
Main Results:
- EBV utilizes DNA methylation, histone chaperones, Hippo pathway, m6A RNA modification, and nonsense-mediated decay.
- These epigenetic mechanisms regulate EBV's switch between latency and lytic phases.
- Newly appreciated roles of these factors in controlling EBV infection and persistence.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic control is crucial for EBV's lifelong infection strategy.
- Understanding these mechanisms offers potential for novel therapeutic interventions against EBV-associated diseases.
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