The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is considered a possible major factor in the etiology of some human cancers. The bulk of the early evidence for these associations came from immunological studies utilizing cells expressing a variety of EBV-associated antigens. These studies have also been important for identifying antibodies to certain antigens that appear to be of potential diagnostic and prognostic importance in these diseases and those antigens responsible for inducing immunity to the virus and virus-infected or transformed cell. There has been little progress in the purification and characterization of these antigens. This laboratory has been concentrating on the purification of the EBV-induced membrane antigen (MA) complex primarily because of its importance in immunity. The current studies are directed at (1) the further purification and biochemical characterization of the major MA glycoproteins. This will include the characterization of the carbohydrate moieties of the different glycoproteins as well as analysis of the protein components; (2) the production of both mouse and human monoclonal antibodies to these glycoproteins which will be important for the purification and biological characterization of such glycorproteins and for looking for strain differences; (3) analysis of sera from patients with different EBV-associated diseases for antibodies to different EBV-MA antigenic determinants to determine if any of these show a disease association and to attempt to further identify those determinants involved in neutralization and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC); and (4) to assess the value of purified MA components as subviral vaccines against EBV infections. Such studies should lead to a better understanding of the nature of those antigens involved in the induction of the various arms of immunity against EBV-induced disease manifestations.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA039617-03
Application #
3178812
Study Section
Experimental Virology Study Section (EVR)
Project Start
1984-07-01
Project End
1987-12-31
Budget Start
1986-01-01
Budget End
1986-12-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1986
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Georgetown University
Department
Type
School of Medicine & Dentistry
DUNS #
049515844
City
Washington
State
DC
Country
United States
Zip Code
20057
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Kocache, M M; Pearson, G R (1990) Protein kinase activity associated with a cell cycle regulated, membrane-bound Epstein-Barr virus induced early antigen. Intervirology 31:1-13
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Goldschmidts, W; Luka, J; Pearson, G R (1987) A restricted component of the Epstein-Barr virus early antigen complex is structurally related to ribonucleotide reductase. Virology 157:220-6
Pearson, G R; Luka, J; Petti, L et al. (1987) Identification of an Epstein-Barr virus early gene encoding a second component of the restricted early antigen complex. Virology 160:151-61
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Pearson, G R (1986) The Epstein-Barr virus genome and phenotypic expression during lytic cycle. AIDS Res 2 Suppl 1:S49-56
Emini, E A; Luka, J; Armstrong, M E et al. (1986) Establishment and characterization of a chronic infectious mononucleosislike syndrome in common marmosets. J Med Virol 18:369-79

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