title: Latent and lytic Epstein-Barr virus gene expression in the peripheral blood of astronauts.
abstract: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent and replicative gene transcription was analyzed in peripheral blood B-lymphocytes from astronauts who flew on short-duration (∼11 days) Shuttle missions and long-duration (∼180 days) International Space Station (ISS) missions. Latent, immediate-early, and early gene replicative viral transcripts were detected in samples from six astronauts who flew on short-duration Shuttle missions, whereas viral gene transcription was mostly absent in samples from 24 healthy donors. Samples from six astronauts who flew on long-duration ISS missions were characterized by expanded expression of latent, immediate-early, and early gene transcripts and new onset expression of late replicative transcription upon return to Earth. These data indicate that EBV-infected cells are no longer expressing the restricted set of viral genes that characterize latency but are expressing latent and lytic gene transcripts. These data also suggest the possibility of EBV-related complications in future long-duration missions, in particular interplanetary travel.
authors.affiliation: Microgen Laboratories, La Marque, Texas 77568, USA. rpstowe@microgenlabs.com
authors.forename: Raymond P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Stowe
authors.forename: Elena V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Kozlova
authors.forename: Clarence F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Sams
authors.forename: Duane L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Pierson
authors.forename: Dennis M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Walling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D018480:Astronauts; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D005814:Genes, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013026:Space Flight; D013997:Time Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D017735:Virus Latency / Q000235:genetics*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000235:genetics; D014893:Weightlessness
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D018076:DNA, Complementary; C099537:Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA 1; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012313:RNA