Prevalence of LMP-1 gene in tonsils and non-neoplastic nasopharynxes by nest-polymerase chain reaction in Taiwan.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) in tonsils and non-neoplastic nasopharynxes in Taiwan.


METHODS
Nest-polymerase chain reaction (nest-PCR) was used to examine the presence of LMP-1 gene in lymphoid hyperplasia from non-neoplastic tonsillar and nasopharyngeal tissues and in tonsillar cancers.


RESULTS
In 152 cases, 64 biopsy tissues were obtained from lymphoid hyperplasia of nasopharynxes, 57 from tonsillectomy of non-neoplastic tonsils, and 31 from tonsillar cancers. LMP-1 was detected in 43.4% of the study group. Nineteen (29.7%) and 29 (50.9%) lymphoid hyperplasias from normal nasopharynxes and tonsils, respectively, and 18 (58.1%) biopsies from tonsillar cancers had positive LMP-1. The 30-base pair (bp) deleted variant was detected in 89.5% and 82.8% of normal nasopharynxes and tonsils, respectively, and in 66.7% of biopsies from tonsillar cancers (p =.198).


CONCLUSIONS
This study found that the 30-bp variant was the predominant type of LMP-1 from a healthy population in Taiwan.
Pai
Ping-Ching
PC
Department of Radiation Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 5 Fu-Shin Street, Kwei-Shan Hsiang, Taoyuan, Linkou, Taiwan ROC.
Tsang
Ngan-Ming
NM
Tseng
Chen-Kan
CK
Hao
Sheng-Po
SP
Kuo
Tseng-Tong
TT
Wei
Kuo-Chen
KC
Hsueh
Chuen
C
Chuang
Chi-Cheng
CC
D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D017353:Gene Deletion; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000378:metabolism*; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013624:Taiwan; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins