Definition

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), known as Human gamma herpesvirus 4, is one of nine known types of human herpesvirus in the herpes family and one of the most common viruses in humans. EBV is a double-stranded DNA virus containing 192K base pairs with a total of 85 genes, and the DNA is wrapped inside the capsid. EBV was first observed by Epstein and Barr in 1964, hence the name. Epstein-Barr virus mainly infects B cells and epithelial cells, and there are two modes of infection: latent and lysophilic. Infection with Epstein-Barr virus is primarily latent.

Fig. 1 The Electron Microscopic Image of Two Epstein Barr Virus

The virus causes infectious mononucleosis ("mononucleosis" or "glandular fever"). It has also been associated with various nonmalignant, precancerous, and malignant Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoproliferative disorders, such as Burkitt lymphoma, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, and Hodgkin lymphoma; Non-lymphoid malignancies, such as gastric cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer; and diseases associated with human immunodeficiency viruses, such as hairy leukoplakia and central nervous system lymphoma. The virus has also been linked to childhood conditions such as Alice in Wonderland syndrome and acute cerebellar ataxia, and according to some evidence, the virus has also been linked to a higher risk of developing certain autoimmune diseases, particularly dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren's syndrome.

Fig. 2 Simplified Diagram of The Structure of EBV

Function

EBV can infect different cell types, including B cells and epithelial cells. gHgL gp42 virus three-part glycoprotein complex mediates B-cell membrane fusion. Although the two-part complex of gHgL mediates epithelial cell membrane fusion. EBV produced in B cells has a small amount of gHgLgp42 complexes because these three-part complexes interact with and are degraded by human leukocyte antigen class II molecules present in the endoplasmic reticulum of B cells. In contrast, EBV from epithelial cells is rich in a three-part complex because these cells do not normally contain HLA class II molecules. Thus, EBV produced by B cells is more infectious to epithelial cells, while EBV produced by epithelial cells is more infectious to B cells. The part of the virus lacking gp42 is able to bind to human B cells but cannot infect.

Epstein-Barr virus can only proliferate in B lymphocytes, which can be transformed and can be passaged for a long time. Virus-infected cells have EBv genomes and can produce a variety of antigens, which have been identified: EBv nuclear antigen (EBna), early antigen (EA), membrane antigen (MA), capsid antigen (VCA), lymphocyte recognition membrane antigen (LYDMA). In addition to lydma, EBna, ma, vca, and ea in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients all produce corresponding lgG and lgA antibodies, and the study of these antigens and their antibodies is of great significance for elucidating the relationship between EBv and nasopharyngeal carcinoma and early diagnosis.

EBV infection occurs through oral transmission of saliva and genital secretions. Most people get EBV and acquire adaptive immunity. In the US, about half of five-year-olds and about 90% of adults have evidence of previous infection. Once maternal antibody protection is gone, the baby becomes susceptible to EBV.

Clinical Application

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignancy associated with Epstein-Barr virus. In areas with high incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the positive rate of EBER gene detection of EBER virus in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues is as high as 90%, and the DNA (EBV DNA) of plasma EBV virus can be detected in 53%~96% of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma before treatment.

Lymphoma is a heterogeneous group of neoplastic diseases, according to histopathological characteristics, lymphoma is divided into Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) categories, 85% of lymphomas are non-Hodgkin lymphoma. NHL mainly includes Burkitt's lymphoma, NK/T cell gonopoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and angioimmunoblastic lymphoma, among which Burkitt's lymphoma is the earliest confirmed lymphoma associated with EBV infection. EBV is associated with about one-third of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) cases.

Epstein-Barr virus infection is one of the common viral infections after transplantation, and the infection rate of EBV is reported to be 8.8%~58.8%. Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is an abnormal proliferative disorder of lymphocytes or plasma cells caused by persistent immunosuppression after solid organ transplantation or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Alpha Lifetech Inc. is dedicated to developing EBV diagnostic regents. Alpha Lifetech Inc. is a reputable supplier focusing on research, manufacture and sales of In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) regents. All the IVD regents offered by Alpha Lifetech Inc. have undergone strict QC validation and are certified by the COA (certificate of analysis). Meanwhile, we can provide customized services according to customers' requirements. Alpha Lifetech Inc. is committed to supplying high-quality, high-sensitivity antigen and antibody products for scientific research and industrial customers. In addition to regular small packages, Alpha Lifetech Inc.'s large-scale fermentation platform also allows us to provide raw material-grade IVD regents for the majority of industrial clients.

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