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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
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Isolation and Quantification of Epstein-Barr Virus from the P3HR1 Cell Line
Published on: September 28, 2022
Reconstructing EBV reactivation and DNA damage response kinetics in morphologic pseudotime.
Dina G Tekle1, Craig J Dobry2, Jonathan Z Sexton3
1Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
Summary
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) subverts host DNA damage responses (DDR) during lytic infection. This study reveals EBV transiently uses DDR for replication, but impairs host DDR, impacting oncogenesis and autoimmunity.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) lytic infection is linked to cancer and autoimmune diseases.
- EBV's lytic cycle relies on manipulating host DNA damage responses (DDR).
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically analyze EBV reactivation and DDR dynamics at the single-cell level.
- To create a comprehensive atlas of cellular phenotypes during EBV lytic infection.
Main Methods:
- High-content screening (HCS) was used to capture cell morphology and dynamics.
- Pseudotemporal analysis was applied to >850,000 cells to track EBV reactivation and DDR.
- Cell segmentation and feature quantification identified distinct cellular responses.
Main Results:
- Generated a large-scale cell atlas detailing EBV lytic protein and DDR factor localization.
- Observed distinct DDR profiles in lytic versus latent cells and varied protein localization with stimuli.
- Discovered that early DDR marker γH2AX was depleted from viral replication compartments, while 53BP1 was transiently present then absent.
Conclusions:
- EBV appears to transiently utilize host DNA double-strand break (DSB) DDR proteins to initiate viral genome replication.
- Host-targeted DDR is initiated but ultimately impaired during EBV reactivation.
- HCS combined with pseudotime analysis offers a powerful method for studying host-virus interactions.
