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An Epstein‐Barr virus immortalization associated gene segment interferes specifically with the IFN‐induced anti‐proliferative response in human B‐lymphoid cell lines.
Author(s) -
Aman P.,
Gabain A.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1990.tb08090.x
Subject(s) - bacteriology , biology , lymphoma , virus , gene , cell culture , virology , transfection , interferon , immunology , genetics , bacteria
Immortalization of human B‐lymphocytes by Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) is associated with a decreased anti‐proliferative response to interferon (IFN). In the present investigation we show that the resistance to the anti‐proliferative effect of IFN class I on certain EBV‐carrying Burkitt lymphoma cell lines is connected to the presence of the EBNA‐2 gene and parts of the EBNA‐5 gene of the EBV genome. Transfection of the genomic segment comprising these open reading frames into an IFN‐sensitive lymphoma cell line demonstrated that it is sufficient to make cells resistant towards the antiproliferative effect of IFN class I. Expression of the EBNA‐2 gene seems to be correlated with the IFN‐resistant phenotype. The antiviral function of IFN, as tested by inhibition by vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection, and the IFN‐receptor binding are not suppressed. The present results suggest that the neutralization of the anti‐proliferative effect of IFN‐alpha is involved in the EBV‐mediated immortalization of B‐cells and that the anti‐proliferative action of IFN class I does not necessarily recruit the same mechanism as the antiviral effect.