title: Suppression of Epstein-Barr virus reactivation in lymphoblastoid cells cultured in simulated microgravity.
abstract: Rotating-wall vessels allow for the growth of cells in simulated microgravity. Lymphoblastoid cells cultured in rotating-wall vessels exhibited significant differences in the expression of both early and late Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) antigens. Viral protein expression (as measured by indirect immunofluorescence) was significantly suppressed in cells cultured in simulated microgravity. A significantly greater percentage of P3HR-1 cells and Daudi cells were positive for the expression of BamH1-Z-DNA fragment of Epstein-Barr replication activator (ZEBRA), early antigen restricted (EA-R), and viral capsid antigen (VCA) in cells cultured in static tissue culture flasks as compared to cells cultured in rotating-wall vessels. We observed a 7, 11, and 25-fold reduction, respectively, for EA-R, VCA, and ZEBRA protein in P3HR-1 cells cultured in simulated microgravity. Additionally, suspension cultures of P3HR-1 cells exhibited significantly greater ZEBRA antigen expression than cells cultured in rotating-wall vessels. As an independent confirmation of the reduction in ZEBRA-protein production in simulated microgravity in P3HR-1 cells, ZEBRA-mRNA was quantitated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. We observed between a 4 to 10-fold reduction in ZEBRA-mRNA in cells cultured in simulated microgravity as compared to cells cultured at 1 x g in tissue culture flasks. Rotating-wall vessels, by virtue of providing a simple culture environment triggering marked differences in viral activation, provide a model whereby both host and viral factors involved in regulating the maintenance of EBV latency can be examined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pierson
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hughes
mesh_terms: D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002213:Capsid / Q000032:analysis; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002460:Cell Line; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012399:Rotation; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D014775:Virus Activation; D014893:Weightlessness
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; C063676:BZLF1 protein, Herpesvirus 4, Human; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014764:Viral Proteins