Expression of latent membrane proteins in Epstein‑Barr virus-transformed lymphocytes invitro.

Abstract

Infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) induces activation and proliferation of Blymphocytes. Detection of latent membrane protein (LMP)-1 is used to identify the proliferative ability of B cells. However, changes in the expression levels of the three LMPs during EBV-induced Blymphocyte transformation, have not yet been reported. In the present study, the expression levels of LMP-1, LMP-2A and LMP-2B were compared between EBV-transformed Blymphocytes and paired normal lymphocytes. Seven lymphoblast cell lines were established by EBV infection of normal human lymphocytes invitro. The expression levels of LMP genes and LMP-1 protein were determined using quantitative (q)PCR and western blotting in lymphoblasts and normal lymphocytes, respectively. The expression of LMP1, LMP-2A and LMP-2B genes was significantly upregulated in EBV-induced lymphoblasts compared with the normal lymphocytes. The LMP-1 protein level was also significantly increased in EBV-transformed B lymphocytes. Expression of LMP1, LMP-2A and LMP-2B genes was significantly upregulated in EBV-induced lymphoblasts, suggesting LMP genes are important in the transformation of human lymphocytes.