Expression of the Epstein-Barr virus genome in a nasopharyngeal carcinoma epithelial tumor cell line.
An epithelial tumor cell line was recently established from a biopsy specimen of a nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and designated HONE-I. Uncloned (parental) HONE-I and HONE-I clone (C)-40 cells were found to contain latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Expression of the latent EBV genome in HONE-I C-40 cells has been examined. It was possible to detect a small percentage of cells spontaneously synthesizing EBV early antigen (EA) and virus capsid antigen (VCA) by immunofluorescence (IF). In addition, the EBV nuclear antigens (EBNA-I and EBNA-2), as well as the EBV latent membrane protein (LMP) were detected in the HONE-I cells. Attempts were made to induce the latent EBV genome in these cells with iododeoxyuridine (IUdR). We observed a significant increase in the number of EA/VCA-positive cells, an increase in EBV DNA, the synthesis of virus particles, and the rescue of infectious virus after treatment of HONE-I C-40 cells with IUdR. The HONE-I C-40 cells should facilitate studies of the expression and regulation of the EBV genome in NPC epithelial tumor cells, which have not previously been available.
Zhang
H Y
HY
Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus 43210.
Yao
K
K
Zhu
H C
HC
Glaser
R
R
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D005814:Genes, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D015698:Genomic Library; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007065:Idoxuridine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000382:microbiology; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000235:genetics; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D004279:DNA, Viral; C041788:Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen; C033305:Epstein-Barr virus early antigen; D007065:Idoxuridine