The overall goals of our research program are to better understand how Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) successfully infects humans, how it causes human disease, and to develop effective therapies against EBV-associated disease. This competing renewal builds on our progress in both macaque and human systems to study EBV infection in the context of the complete host. In the rhesus macaque animal model for EBV infection, we have constructed the first molecular clone for the EBV-related lymphocryptovirus that naturally infects rhesus macaques (rhLCV). Experimental infection with a rhLCV carrying a truncated rhBARF1, a putative immune evasion gene, has revealed a potential role for this viral protein in both acute and persistent infection. In the current proposal, we will use this animal model system to better understand how viral immune evasion contributes to the pathogenesis of acute and persistent LCV infection in a natural host. In humans with EBV-associated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC), we have identified a functional defect in EBNA-1-specific cytotoxic T cells (CTL) that may represent an important hole in immunosurveillance against this virus-induced malignancy. Understanding how viral immunity is altered in patients with malignant EBV infection can be directly translated into significant improvements for cancer immunotherapy.
The specific aims of this proposal are as follows:
Specific Aim 1 : Determine the role of rhBARF1 in acute and persistent rhLCV infection, Specific Aim 2: Determine the role of rhEBNA-1 CTL and potential rhEBNA-1 immune evasion in persistent rhLCV infection, Specific Aim 3: Determine the mechanism of EBNA-1 CTL inhibition in patients with EBV- associated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in order to develop strategies for improving EBNA-1 CTL activity for immunotherapy. These studies will provide new information on how EBV establishes persistent infection and how the immune response can be used to more effectively treat EBV-associated malignancy.

Public Health Relevance

Epstein-Barr virus persistently infects 95% of the adult population, is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis, and is associated with various malignancies including lymphoproliferative disease in post-transplant and AIDS patients, Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Burkitt Lymphoma, Hodgkin Lymphoma and gastric carcinoma. This research project focuses on virus-host interactions in the context of complete, natural hosts in order to better understand how Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) successfully infects humans, how it causes human disease, and how effective therapies against EBV-associated cancers can be developed.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01CA068051-15
Application #
7783198
Study Section
Virology - B Study Section (VIRB)
Program Officer
Daschner, Phillip J
Project Start
1995-07-01
Project End
2015-02-28
Budget Start
2010-05-01
Budget End
2011-02-28
Support Year
15
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$469,785
Indirect Cost
Name
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
030811269
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
Herrman, Marissa; Mühe, Janine; Quink, Carol et al. (2016) Epstein-Barr Virus gp350 Can Functionally Replace the Rhesus Lymphocryptovirus Major Membrane Glycoprotein and Does Not Restrict Infection of Rhesus Macaques. J Virol 90:1222-30
Mühe, Janine; Wang, Fred (2015) Host Range Restriction of Epstein-Barr Virus and Related Lymphocryptoviruses. J Virol 89:9133-6
Griffin, Bryan D; Gram, Anna M; Mulder, Arend et al. (2013) EBV BILF1 evolved to downregulate cell surface display of a wide range of HLA class I molecules through their cytoplasmic tail. J Immunol 190:1672-84
Wang, Fred (2013) Nonhuman primate models for Epstein-Barr virus infection. Curr Opin Virol 3:233-7
Fogg, Mark; Murphy, John R; Lorch, Jochen et al. (2013) Therapeutic targeting of regulatory T cells enhances tumor-specific CD8+ T cell responses in Epstein-Barr virus associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Virology 441:107-13
Ohashi, Makoto; Fogg, Mark H; Orlova, Nina et al. (2012) An Epstein-Barr virus encoded inhibitor of Colony Stimulating Factor-1 signaling is an important determinant for acute and persistent EBV infection. PLoS Pathog 8:e1003095
Kawabata, Thomas; Weaver, James; Thomas, Dolca et al. (2012) Summary of roundtable discussion meeting: non-human primates to assess risk for EBV-related lymphomas in humans. J Immunotoxicol 9:121-7
Ohashi, Makoto; Orlova, Nina; Quink, Carol et al. (2011) Cloning of the Epstein-Barr virus-related rhesus lymphocryptovirus as a bacterial artificial chromosome: a loss-of-function mutation of the rhBARF1 immune evasion gene. J Virol 85:1330-9
Fogg, Mark H; Wirth, Lori J; Posner, Marshall et al. (2009) Decreased EBNA-1-specific CD8+ T cells in patients with Epstein-Barr virus-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 106:3318-23
Rivailler, Pierre; Kaur, Amitinder; Johnson, R Paul et al. (2006) Genomic sequence of rhesus cytomegalovirus 180.92: insights into the coding potential of rhesus cytomegalovirus. J Virol 80:4179-82

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