Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is implicated as a cause of B cell lymphoproliferative disorders in normal and immunocompromised patients and as a cause of nasopharyngeal cancer. The ability of EBV to immortalize B cells, enabling them to proliferate indefinitely in vitro, is probably a significant manifestation of its oncogenic capacity. While the principle EBV genes transcribed in latently infected cells have been identified, little is known regarding the cellular processes affected by EBV encoded products. EBV is likely to effect cell proliferation through highly specific changes in cell gene expression and by less specific induction of processes integral to cell proliferation. Using the technique of subtractive cDNA hydridization, mRNAs which are differentially expressed between EBV infected and uninfected cell lines (or between cells expressing single EBV genes and control cells converted with vector only) will be identified. The specific goals of this endeavor will be to identify potential growth regulatory functions whose expression is modulated either directly or indirectly by EBV encoded products. Together with studies of the intracellular biochemistry and physiology of EBV genes, elucidation of the cell genes whose expression is specifically or less specifically altered by EBV infection should provide important insight into the pathways by which EBV gene products induce cell proliferation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Physician Scientist Award (K11)
Project #
5K11CA001341-03
Application #
3085758
Study Section
(SRC)
Project Start
1987-06-20
Project End
1992-05-31
Budget Start
1989-06-01
Budget End
1990-05-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Harvard University
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
082359691
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
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Birkenbach, M; Tong, X; Bradbury, L E et al. (1992) Characterization of an Epstein-Barr virus receptor on human epithelial cells. J Exp Med 176:1405-14
Alfieri, C; Birkenbach, M; Kieff, E (1991) Early events in Epstein-Barr virus infection of human B lymphocytes. Virology 181:595-608
Birkenbach, M; Liebowitz, D; Wang, F et al. (1989) Epstein-Barr virus latent infection membrane protein increases vimentin expression in human B-cell lines. J Virol 63:4079-84