The Epstein-Barr virus oncogene product latent membrane protein 1 engages the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated death domain protein to mediate B lymphocyte growth transformation and activate NF-kappaB

Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 induces the matrix metalloproteinase-1 promoter via an Ets binding site formed by a single nucleotide polymorphism: enhanced susceptibility to nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) has a significant role in several malignancies, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). LMP1 is the principal oncoprotein, and we have shown that it also induces a set of factors that mediates invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis. Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1) is also involved in several malignancies. A single guanine insertion polymorphism (2G) in the MMP1 promoter creates an Ets binding site that causes high levels of transcription and correlates with risk for some malignancies. Here, we evaluate the impact of this 2G insertion type on NPC. We genotyped 44 Japanese and 39 Taiwanese NPC patients, as well as 58 Japanese and 23 Taiwanese healthy controls. The proportion of 2G homozygotes was higher in the NPC groups than in controls (Japanese: p = 0.02, odds ratio (OR) = 2.49; Taiwanese: p = 0.02, OR = 3.66). An analysis of overall survival rates in the patients with NPC, and the 1G/1G genotype disclosed a favorable prognosis (5-year survival rate = 100%, p = 0.04). Multivariate analysis showed that 1G/1G has independent prognostic significance. We also examined whether LMP1 enhances MMP1 expression in epithelial cells in culture. LMP1-transfected cells with 2G/2G genotype expressed MMP1, which was abolished by activator protein-1 (AP1) dominant-negative (DN) and Ets-DN. LMP1 also induced active MMP3, which can cleave latent MMP1, and AP1-DN and Ets-DN suppressed the MMP3 expression. These results suggest that LMP1-induced MMP1 and MMP3 are closely linked and show that LMP1 activates MMP1 via an Ets binding site formed by 2G, which is a candidate marker for both risk and prognosis of NPC.

Cell transformation by Herpesvirus saimiri

Herpesvirus saimiri (Saimiriine herpesvirus-2), a gamma2-herpesvirus (rhadinovirus) of non-human primates, causes T-lymphoproliferative diseases in susceptible organisms and transforms human and non-human T lymphocytes to continuous growth in vitro in the absence of stimulation. T cells transformed by H. saimiri retain many characteristics of intact T lymphocytes, such as the sensitivity to interleukin-2 and the ability to recognize the corresponding antigens. As a result, H. saimiri is widely used in immunobiology for immortalization of various difficult-to-obtain and/or -to-maintain T cells in order to obtain useful experimental models. In particular, H. saimiri-transformed human T cells are highly susceptible to infection with HIV-1 and -2. This makes them a convenient tool for propagation of poorly replicating strains of HIV, including primary clinical isolates. Therefore, the mechanisms mediating transformation of T cells by H. saimiri are of considerable interest. A single transformation-associated protein, StpA or StpB, mediates cell transformation by H. saimiri strains of group A or B, respectively. Strains of group C, which exhibit the highest oncogenic potential, have two proteins involved in transformation-StpC and Tip. Both proteins have been shown to dramatically affect signal transduction pathways leading to the activation of crucial transcription factors. This review is focused on the biological effects and molecular mechanisms of action of proteins involved in H. saimiri-dependent transformation.

Latent membrane protein 1 regulates STAT1 through NF-kappaB-dependent interferon secretion in Epstein-Barr virus-immortalized B cells

Constitutive activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) is a distinctive feature of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-immortalized B cells (lymphoblastoid cell lines [LCLs]). The expression of STAT1 in these cells is modulated by the latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), but the mechanism of STAT1 activation has remained unclear. We demonstrate that the tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1 in LCLs results from an indirect pathway encompassing an NF-kappaB-dependent secretion of interferons (IFNs). The cell culture supernatant of LCLs induced tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1 in cells with no constitutively activated STAT1. Moreover, removal of supernatant from LCLs was sufficient to decrease the phosphorylation of STAT1. Inhibition of NF-kappaB activity by different pharmacological inhibitors (i.e., parthenolide, MG132 and BAY 11-7082) and by overexpressed mutated IkappaBalpha prevented the activation of STAT1. To identify the factors involved, we performed macroarray cDNA profiling with or without inhibition of NF-kappaB. The expression of several cytokines was NF-kappaB dependent among those alpha and gamma IFNs (IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma), known activators of STAT1. By real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay we show that IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma are expressed and released by LCLs in an NF-kappaB-dependent manner. Finally, the blocking of the IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma by neutralizing antibodies led to the complete inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1. Taken together, our results clearly show that LMP1-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1 is almost exclusively due to the NF-kappaB-dependent secretion of IFNs. Whether this response, which is usually considered to be antiviral, is in fact required for the persistence of the virus remains to be elucidated.

Transactivation of the CCL5/RANTES gene by Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1

Chemokines and chemokine receptors mediate lymphocyte migration and tissue localization. To analyze CCL5 (RANTES) expression by EBV-infected cells, we examined the expression of CCL5 in BL cell lines. Among 4 BL cell lines, those infected with EBV selectively expressed the CCL5 gene and secreted CCL5. Four cell lines also expressed CCR5, a receptor for CCL5. EBV-encoded LMP-1, a pleiotropic protein that effects gene expression, cell transformation, growth and death, induces expression of CCL5 mRNA and secretion of CCL5 in the EBV-negative BL cell line BJAB and the embryonic kidney cell line 293T. HDACI-stimulated endogenous LMP-1 also induced CCL5 expression in an EBV-positive BL cell line. Analysis of the CCL5 promoter revealed that it is activated by both LMP-1 C-terminal activation domains, CTAR-1 and CTAR-2, which can activate NF-kappaB signaling. Coexpression of IkappaBalpha, IkappaBbeta, IKKalpha, IKKbeta, NIK and TRAF2 dominant-negative constructs, with LMP-1 inhibited the activation of the CCL5 promoter by LMP-1, suggesting that LMP-1 induces CCL5 via NF-kappaB signaling. The NF-kappaB binding sites, R(A/B), located at positions -71 to -43 relative to the putative transcription start site in the CCL5 promoter, were essential for the activation of CCL5 gene expression by LMP-1. These results indicate that the activation of the NF-kappaB pathway by LMP-1 is required for the activation of CCL5 expression.

Latent membrane protein 1 of Epstein-Barr virus coordinately regulates proliferation with control of apoptosis

Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), an oncoprotein encoded by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), is an integral membrane protein, which acts like a constitutively active receptor. LMP1 is critical for some facet of EBV's induction and maintenance of proliferation of infected B cells. It, in part, mimics signaling by the CD40 receptor and has been implicated in regulating proliferation, survival, or both properties of EBV-infected cells. We established a conditional LMP1 allele in the context of the intact EBV genome to define the immediate-early cellular target genes regulated by LMP1 in order to assess its contributions to infected human B cells. The functional analysis of this conditional system indicated that LMP1 specifically induces mitogenic B-cell activation through c-myc and Jun/AP1 family members and confirms its direct role in upregulating expression of multiple genes with opposing activities involved in cell survival. LMP1's signals were found to be essential for the G1/S transition in human B cells; cells lacking LMP1's signals are cell cycle arrested and survive quiescently. LMP1's activities are therefore not required to maintain survival in nonproliferating cells. LMP1 does induce both pro- and antiapoptotic genes whose balance seems to permit survival during LMP1's induction and maintenance of proliferation.

Azidothymidine inhibits NF-kappaB and induces Epstein-Barr virus gene expression in Burkitt lymphoma

The antiviral compound azidothymidine (AZT), alone or in combination with other agents, induces apoptosis in early-passage, Epstein-Barr virus-positive Burkitt lymphoma (EBV+ BL) lines and has clinical activity in EBV+ BL. We report here a mechanism of AZT's antitumor activity. The nuclei of these cells contain activated nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) subunits p50, c-Rel, RelB, and p52, but not p65. Treatment of primary EBV+ BL lines with AZT inhibited NF-kappaB within 1 to 2 hours. This was followed by up-regulation of EBV gene expression including viral thymidine kinase (vTK) and apoptosis. Subclones of EBV+ BL cells that demonstrated activated p65 were resistant to AZT. In EBV+ BLs, AZT but not ganciclovir (GCV) was highly phosphorylated to its monophosphate form (AZT-MP). Phosphorylation, as well as apoptosis, was markedly enhanced in the presence of hydroxyurea. AZT inhibits NF-kappaB and up-regulates EBV gene expression in primary EBV+ BLs. AZT with hydroxyurea may represent an inexpensive, targeted regimen for endemic BL.

Epstein-Barr virus-encoded latent membrane protein 1 promotes stress-induced apoptosis upstream of caspase-2-dependent mitochondrial perturbation

Previous studies have shown that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) enhances etoposide-induced apoptosis in epithelial cells. Our study was undertaken to further dissect the modulation of tumor cell apoptosis by this viral protein. Using an inducible system of LMP1 expression in HeLa cells, we show herein that etoposide-triggered apoptosis, as evidenced by nuclear condensation and caspase-3 activation, is enhanced by LMP1. LMP1 also potentiates etoposide-induced processing and activation of caspase-2 in this model and enhances the dissipation of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and the release of cytochrome c in response to etoposide. Moreover, cisplatin-triggered activation of caspases 2 and 3 is potentiated upon expression of LMP1. A similar LMP1-mediated enhancement of cisplatin-induced caspase activation was seen upon stable transfection of wild-type LMP1 into the nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line, TW03. Finally, using deletion mutants of LMP1 to determine the region of LMP1 required for apoptosis potentiation, we found that amino acids 350-386 (located within the CTAR2 domain) were responsible for sensitizing cells to cisplatin. We conclude that LMP1-dependent potentiation of stress-induced apoptosis occurs at an early step in the apoptosis cascade, upstream of the activation of caspase-2, and involves the C-terminal signaling domain of LMP1. These findings could have important ramifications for the treatment of EBV-associated malignancies of epithelial origin, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Epstein-Barr virus sustains Burkitt's lymphomas and Hodgkin's disease

Two proteins of Epstein-Barr Virus make formerly unrecognized contributions to maintaining the tumors of Burkitt's lymphomas and Hodgkin's disease. The Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) protein can support the synthesis and maintenance of the viral genome. New data show that inhibiting EBNA1 in Burkitt's lymphoma cells induces cell death by apoptosis. Therefore, EBNA1 inhibits apoptosis and, according to recent findings, does so independently of other viral genes. The latent membrane protein 2a (LMP2a) binds to signaling molecules that are engaged by the B-cell receptor and inhibits the signaling that is mediated by antigen binding. New findings have revealed how LMP2a overcomes the apoptosis that normally results from the absence of functional B-cell receptors, and explain how Hodgkin's disease tumor cells, which are B cells, survive but lack functional antibodies.

Roles of TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3 in Signaling to B Lymphocytes by Carboxyl-Terminal Activating Regions 1 and 2 of the EBV-Encoded Oncoprotein Latent Membrane Protein 1

TNFR-associated factor (TRAF)3, an adaptor protein that binds the cytoplasmic domains of both CD40 and the EBV-encoded oncoprotein latent membrane protein (LMP)1, is required for positive signaling by LMP1 but not CD40 in B lymphocytes. The present study further investigated how TRAF3 participates in LMP1 signaling. We found that TRAF3 mediates signaling both through direct interactions with the C-terminal activating region (CTAR)1 of LMP1 and through indirect interactions with the CTAR2 region of LMP1 in mouse B cells. Notably, our results demonstrated that the CTAR2 region appears to inhibit the recruitment of TRAF1 and TRAF2 to membrane rafts by the CTAR1 region. Additionally, the absence of TRAF2 in B cells resulted in only a modest reduction in CTAR1-mediated signals and no detectable effect on CTAR2-mediated signals. CTAR1 and CTAR2 cooperated to achieve the robust signaling activity of LMP1 when recruited to the same membrane microdomains in B cells. Interestingly, TRAF3 deficiency completely abrogated the cooperation between CTAR1 and CTAR2, supporting the hypothesis that TRAF3 participates in the physical interaction between CTAR1 and CTAR2 of LMP1. Together, our findings highlight the central importance of TRAF3 in LMP1-mediated signaling, which is critical for EBV persistent infection and EBV-associated pathogenesis.

Viral interactions with the Notch pathway

The Notch signaling pathway influences cell fate decisions, proliferation versus differentiation and cell survival. Viruses both utilize and manipulate the differentiation state of infected cells, promote or block cell cycling and employ a variety of mechanisms to evade innate cellular anti-viral responses and promote cell survival. In light of these commonalities, it is perhaps not surprising that several viruses have tapped into the Notch pathway to advance their own life cycles. This first became apparent from studies showing targeting of Epstein-Barr virus proteins to the nuclear effector of Notch signaling CSL (CBF1/RBPJk). More recently the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus RTA protein has been found to bind CSL. Notch pathway interactions have also been described for adenovirus SV40 and human papilloma virus. This review focuses on the herpesvirus protein interactions with the Notch pathway and the insights that these interactions have provided.

Epstein-Barr virus and cancer

EBV was the first human virus to be directly implicated in carcinogenesis. It infects >90% of the world's population. Although most humans coexist with the virus without serious sequelae, a small proportion will develop tumors. Normal host populations can have vastly different susceptibility to EBV-related tumors as demonstrated by geographical and immunological variations in the prevalence of these cancers. EBV has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Burkitt's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and lymphomas, as well as leiomyosarcomas arising in immunocompromised individuals. The presence of this virus has also been associated with epithelial malignancies arising in the gastric region and the breast, although some of this work remains in dispute. EBV uses its viral proteins, the actions of which mimic several growth factors, transcription factors, and antiapoptotic factors, to usurp control of the cellular pathways that regulate diverse homeostatic cellular functions. Recent advances in antiviral therapeutics, application of monoclonal antibodies, and generation of EBV-specific CTLs are beginning to show promise in the treatment of EBV-related disorders.

Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) half-life in epithelial cells is down-regulated by lytic LMP-1

This study examined the effect of naturally occurring Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) gene sequence variation on the LMP-1 half-life in epithelial cells. The LMP-1 half-life was not influenced by sequence variation in amino acids 250 to 307 or amino acids 343 to 352. The LMP-1 half-life was short when the amino acid encoded at position 129 was methionine, the initiation codon product of lytic LMP-1 (lyLMP-1). The mutation of amino acid 129 to isoleucine greatly increased the LMP-1 half-life. Expression of lyLMP-1 in trans down-regulated the LMP-1 half-life in a dose-dependent manner and restored a short-half-life phenotype to the mutated LMP-1 construct lacking the cis ability to express lyLMP-1. This observed dominant negative effect of lyLMP-1 expression on the LMP-1 half-life in epithelial cells in vitro may have implications for EBV epithelial oncogenesis in vivo.

Amino acid changes in functional domains of latent membrane protein 1 of Epstein-Barr virus in nasopharyngeal carcinoma of southern China and Taiwan: prevalence of an HLA A2-restricted 'epitope-loss variant'

Full-length sequences of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) gene for latent membrane protein (LMP)-1 from 22 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) biopsy specimens and 18 non-neoplastic counterparts (NPI) were determined. Relative to the B95-8 strain, the amino acid sequences of the toxic-signal and transformation domains were changed variably in NPC and NPI specimens; in contrast, no change was observed in the NF-kappaB (nuclear factor kappaB) activation domain. HLA typing revealed that 47 % of NPC and 31 % of NPI specimens were HLA A2-positive. A major A2-restricted epitope within LMP-1 (residues 125-133) was analysed. At residue 126, a change of L-->F was detected in 91 % (20/22) of NPC and 67 % (12/18) of NPI specimens. In addition, a deletion at residue 126 was detected in one NPC sample from Taiwan. At residue 129, a change of M-->I was observed in all samples, regardless of whether they were NPC or NPI. The changes in this peptide between NPC and NPI specimens, including mutation and deletion, are statistically significant (P<0.05). A recent report indicated that this variant sequence is recognized poorly by epitope-specific T cells. Genotyping results indicated that 96 % of NPC and 67 % of NPI samples carried a type A virus. By scanning the entire sequence of LMP-1, eight distinct patterns were identified. Detailed examination of these patterns revealed that type A strains are more prevalent in NPC than in NPI specimens and are marked by the loss of an XhoI site, the presence of a 30 bp deletion and the presence of a mutated, A2-restricted, T cell target epitope sequence. These results suggest that an EBV strain carrying an HLA A2-restricted 'epitope-loss variant' of LMP-1 is prevalent in NPC in southern China and Taiwan.

Expression of the Cytoplasmic Tail of LMP1 in Mice Induces Hyperactivation of B Lymphocytes and Disordered Lymphoid Architecture

The oncogenic EBV protein LMP1 mimics a dysregulated CD40 receptor in vitro. To compare CD40 and LMP1-mediated events in vivo, transgenic mice were engineered to express mouse CD40 (mCD40tg) or a protein with extracellular mCD40 and cytoplasmic LMP1 (mCD40-LMP1tg). Transgenic and CD40(-/-) mice were bred so that only the transgenic CD40 molecule is expressed in B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. mCD40-LMP1tg mice had normal lymphocyte subsets, and immunization elicited an antibody response featuring normal isotype switching, affinity maturation, and germinal center (GC) formation. However, unimmunized mCD40-LMP1tg mice had expanded immature and germinal center B cells, produced autoantibodies, exhibited marked splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy, and elevated serum IL-6. Thus, signaling through the LMP1 cytoplasmic tail results in amplified and abnormal mimicry of CD40 functions in vivo, indicating possible ways in which LMP1 contributes to the pathogenesis of EBV-associated human disease.

Selection pressure-driven evolution of the Epstein-Barr virus-encoded oncogene LMP1 in virus isolates from Southeast Asia

The geographically constrained distribution of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in southeast Asian populations suggests that both viral and host genetics may influence disease risk. Although susceptibility loci have been mapped within the human genome, the role of viral genetics in the focal distribution of NPC remains an enigma. Here we report a molecular phylogenetic analysis of an NPC-associated viral oncogene, LMP1, in a large panel of EBV isolates from southeast Asia and from Papua New Guinea, Africa, and Australia, regions of the world where NPC is and is not endemic, respectively. This analysis revealed that LMP1 sequences show a distinct geographic structure, indicating that the southeast Asian isolates have evolved as a lineage distinct from those of Papua New Guinea, African, and Australian isolates. Furthermore, a likelihood ratio test revealed that the C termini of the LMP1 sequences of the southeast Asian lineage are under significant positive selection pressure, particularly at some sites within the C-terminal activator regions. We also present evidence that although the N terminus and transmembrane region of LMP1 have undergone recombination, the C-terminal region of the gene has evolved without any history of recombination. Based on these observations, we speculate that selection pressure may be driving the LMP1 sequences in virus isolates from southeast Asia towards a more malignant phenotype, thereby influencing the endemic distribution of NPC in this region.

Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 modulates epidermal growth factor receptor promoter activity in a nuclear factor kappa B-dependent manner

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) oncoprotein may cause multiple cellular changes including the induction of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and activation of the NFkappaB transcription factor. LMP1 increases the levels of both EGFR protein and mRNA, but does not stabilize EGFR mRNA. Thus, the effects of LMP1 are likely to be mediated by the direct activation of the EGFR promoter. In this study, induction of LMP1 increased the EGFR in both protein and promoter levels in a dose-dependent manner using tetracycline-regulated LMP1 expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell line. Mutational analysis of the LMP1 protein indicated that the C-terminal activation region-1 (CTAR1) domain was mainly involved in the EGFR promoter induction, while CTAR2 was necessary but not sufficient to induce EGFR promoter. Inhibition of LMP1-mediated NFkappaB activation by constitutive repressive IkappaBalpha marginally decreased EGFR promoter activity using transiently transfected IkappaBalpha dominant negative mutant. Promoter mutagenesis analysis demonstrated that two putative NFkappaB binding sites of EGFR promoter were very necessary for the transcriptional activity of EGFR induced by LMP1, the proximal NFkappaB binding site was more important than the distal NFkappaB binding site, and both NFkappaB binding sites played a cooperative role. Taken together, Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 modulated the EGFR promoter activity in a NFkappaB-dependent manner.

Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 induces synthesis of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is a heterodimeric basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor composed of HIF-1 alpha and HIF-1 beta that is the central regulator of responses to hypoxia. The specific binding of HIF-1 to the hypoxia-responsive element (HRE) induces the transcription of genes that respond to hypoxic conditions, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Here we report that expression of HIF-1 alpha is increased in diverse Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected type II and III cell lines, which express EBV latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), the principal EBV oncoprotein, as well as other latency proteins, but not in the parental EBV-negative cell lines. We show first that transfection of an LMP1 expression plasmid into Ad-AH cells, an EBV-negative nasopharyngeal epithelial cell line, induces synthesis of HIF-1 alpha protein without increasing its stability or mRNA level. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase inhibitor PD98059 markedly reduces induction of HIF-1 alpha by LMP1. Catalase, an H(2)O(2) scavenger, strongly suppresses LMP1-induced production of H(2)O(2), which results in a decrease in the expression of HIF-1 alpha induced by LMP1. Inhibition of the NF-kappa B, c-jun N-terminal kinase, p38 MAPK, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathways did not affect HIF-1 alpha expression. Moreover, LMP1 induces HIF-1 DNA binding activity and upregulates HRE and VEGF promoter transcriptional activity. Finally, LMP1 increases the appearance of VEGF protein in extracellular fluids; induction of VEGF is suppressed by PD98059 or catalase. These results suggest that LMP1 increases HIF-1 activity through induction of HIF-1 alpha protein expression, which is controlled by p42/p44 MAPK activity and H(2)O(2). The ability of EBV, and specifically its major oncoprotein, LMP1, to induce HIF-1 alpha along with other invasiveness and angiogenic factors reported previously discloses additional oncogenic properties of this tumor virus.

A novel dominant-negative mutant form of Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1) selectively and differentially impairs LMP1 and TNF signaling pathways

The latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1) is an integral membrane molecule expressed by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) during viral latency and displays properties of a constitutively activated member of the TNF receptor family. LMP1 is required for B-cell or monocyte immortalization induced by EBV and is sufficient to transform rodent fibroblasts. Transforming potential of LMP1 is mediated by its cytoplasmic C-terminal domain, which activates various cellular signaling pathways including NFkappaB and JNK. In this report, we constructed mutants of LMP1 with preserved membrane spanning domain but mutated in the C-terminal domain and a second truncated C-terminal LMP1 fused to the enhanced green fluorescent protein. This latter mutant, termed LMP1-CT, impairs signaling by ectopic LMP1 as well as endogenous EBV-expressed wild-type (wt) LMP1. In contrast to dominant-negative mutants of LMP1 with preserved membrane spanning domains, LMP1-CT was unable to bind wt LMP1 to form an inactive complex. Its dominant-negative effects were due to binding and sequestration of LMP1 adapters TRAF2 and TRADD as assessed by coimmunoprecipitation experiments and confocal analysis. The effect was selective since LMP1-CT did not inhibit IL-1beta-induced signaling, whereas it impaired TNF-triggered NFkappaB and JNK signals without affecting TNF-induced apoptosis. In addition and in contrast to LMP1 constructs with membrane localization, LMP-CT did not display cytostatic properties in noninfected cells. Importantly, LMP1-CT inhibited survival induced by LMP1 in an EBV-transformed T-cell line expressing the type II viral latency commonly found in the majority of EBV-associated human tumors. These data demonstrate that LMP1-CT is a new tool to explore the differences between LMP1 and TNF signaling and may facilitate the design of molecules with potential therapeutic roles.

Phenotypic alterations induced by the Hong Kong-prevalent Epstein-Barr virus-encoded LMP1 variant (2117-LMP1) in nasopharyngeal epithelial cells

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is closely associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a common cancer in Hong Kong. The EBV-encoded LMP1 protein is believed to play an important role in cell transformation. We have previously identified a prevalent LMP1 variant (2117-LMP1) that is expressed in 86% of primary NPC in Hong Kong. In this study, the biologic phenotypes induced by 2117-LMP1 were compared with those of the prototypic B95.8-LMP1 in an immortalized nasopharyngeal epithelial cell line, NP69. The 2117-LMP1 could induce cell proliferation and resistance to apoptosis induced by growth factor deprivation. Expression of 2117-LMP1 also suppressed expression of p16, p21 and Bax but induced expression of CDK2 and A20. Compared with B95.8-LMP1, 2117-LMP1 could induce a higher migration ability in NP69 cells but was less efficient in inducing morphologic changes, anchorage-independent growth and cell invasion. Relatively weaker ability of 2117-LMP1 than B95.8-LMP1 in upregulation of vimentin, VEGF and MMP9 as well as in downregulation of E-cadherin was observed. 2117-LMP1 could activate higher level of NF-kappaB activity in HEK 293 cells than B95.8-LMP1. The present study supports a role of 2117-LMP1 in NPC development by enhancing cell proliferation, cell death inhibition and migration in premalignant nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. Furthermore, our study reveals significant functional differences between 2117-LMP1 and the prototypic B95.8-LMP1. Our results provide insights into the pathologic significance of this prevalent LMP1 variant, 2117-LMP1, in the development of NPC in the Hong Kong population.

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Latent Membrane Protein 1 Induces Interleukin-8 through the Nuclear Factor-??B Signaling Pathway in EBV-Infected Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cell Line

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a highly invasive and metastatic malignant tumor and is associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection that exhibits type II latency. Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Our previous studies have indicated that interleukin (IL)-8 was over-expressed in many NPC tissues and was found to be significantly correlated with angiogenesis by immunohistochemistry.

STUDY DESIGN

In vitro design.

METHODS

The influence of the EBV genome for IL-8 gene expression was studied using the EBV-genome-positive and -negative epithelial/NPC hybrid cell line NPC-KT. The EBV-positive and -negative clones were selected by polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

EBV-positive clones expressed abundant IL-8 mRNA compared with EBV-negative clones. This result indicated that over-expression of IL-8 depended on the presence of EBV genomes in NPC-KT cells. Two encoded genes, latent membrane protein (LMP)1 and EBV-encoded small RNAs (EBERs), expressed in NPC were transfected in EBV-negative NPC-KT cells. LMP1 transactivated the IL-8 promoter, whereas EBERs did not. Moreover, the nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B binding site in the IL-8 promoter was essential for the response to LMP1, and the activator protein (AP)-1 binding site played only a partial role.

CONCLUSIONS

LMP1 induces IL-8 mainly through the activation of NF-kappa B and partly through AP-1 in NPC model cell lines, NPC-KT, and this suggests that LMP1 plays an important role in the angiogenesis of NPC.

In Hodgkin’s disease Reed–Sternberg cells and normal B-lymphocytes are infected by related Epstein–Barr virus strains

In Hodgkin's disease (HD), both neoplastic Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells and bystander B-lymphocytes may be infected by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). We postulated that if tumorigenic EBV strains did exist, they would be preferentially found in consistently EBV-associated tumors, such as RS cells, and differ significantly from the strains present in other, non-pathological sites of the same patients. In the present study we have compared LMP1-BNLF1 polymorphism of EBV strains infecting RS cells and B-lymphocytes in lymph nodes effected by HD on the one hand, and bystander B-lymphocytes in reactive lymph nodes on the other. It appeared that viral strains detected in HD tissues including RS cells and bystander B-lymphocytes were infected by different, but related EBV strains and were four times more polymorphic than EBV strains infecting bystander B-lymphocytes of reactive lymph nodes. The question arises as to the biological significance of these observations and the origin and chronology of multiple infections in the same patient. Since RS cells are derived from B-lymphocytes it is conceivable that the latter events could have occurred during the proliferation of bystander B-lymphocytes and their EBV episome following an antigenic stimulation.

Multiple signal transducers and activators of transcription are induced by EBV LMP-1

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) is required for EBV immortalization of primary B cells in vitro. Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) play a pivotal role in the initiation and maintenance of certain cancers. STAT proteins, especially STAT-1, -3, and -5, are persistently tyrosine phosphorylated or activated in many cancers. We show here that EBV-infected type III latency cells, in which the EBV oncoprotein, LMP-1 is expressed, express high levels of four STATs (STAT-1, -2, -3, and -5A) and that LMP-1 is responsible for the induction of three (STAT-1, -2, and -3). In addition, the C-terminal activator region 1 (CTAR-1) and CTAR-2 of LMP-1 cooperatively induced the expression of STAT-1. The cooperativity was evident when CTAR-1 and CTAR-2 were present in cis, but not in trans. Furthermore, NF-kappaB is an essential factor involved in the induction of STAT-1. Most of the induced STATs were not phosphorylated at the critical tyrosine residue activated by many cytokines. However, the induced STATs, at least STAT-1, were functional because it could be activated by interferon (IFN) and could upregulate an IFN-inducible gene. Finally, expression of STAT-1, but not STAT-2 and -3, is associated with EBV transformation. The association of the expression of STAT-1, -2, -3, and -5A with EBV type III latency and the expression of STAT-1 in the EBV transformation process may be part of the viral programming that regulates viral latency and cellular transformation.

Molecular mechanisms of the effect of herpesvirus saimiri protein StpC on the signaling pathway leading to NF-kappaB activation

Herpesvirus saimiri (Saimiriine herpesvirus-2) causes lethal T lymphoproliferative diseases in the susceptible species and transforms T lymphocytes to continuous growth in vitro. H. saimiri-induced transformation of T cells is becoming an important experimental tool of biomedical research. Two proteins of H. saimiri subgroup C, Tip and StpC, are essential for T cell transformation by this virus. It has been shown previously that StpC transforms fibroblasts, activates NF-kappaB, and binds to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-receptor-associated factor (TRAF) proteins, but the molecular mechanism of its action remains insufficiently understood. This study further characterized the effect of StpC on NF-kappaB. First, StpC activates NF-kappaB via the consensus pathway involving activation of I-kappaB kinase and subsequent phosphorylation and degradation of I-kappaB in both T lymphoid and epithelial cells. Second, triggering of this pathway by StpC in both T lymphoid and epithelial cells is dependent on the presence of functional NF-kappaB-inducing kinase (NIK). Third, StpC physically interacts with TRAF in epithelial cells, and the effect of StpC on NF-kappaB activity in these cells requires the presence of functional TRAF. Finally the effect of StpC is completely independent of TNF-alpha, a well described stimulus of NF-kappaB activity. Moreover it appears that StpC uncouples stimulation of NF-kappaB activity from TNF-alpha stimulation. Overall these results argue that the effect of StpC on NF-kappaB is similar to the effects of other viral proteins, "usurping" the TRAF/NIK/I-kappaB kinase pathway, and reinforce the notion that the role of StpC in cell transformation by H. saimiri may be mediated by signaling that results in NF-kappaB activation.

Role of NF-kappa B in cell survival and transcription of latent membrane protein 1-expressing or Epstein-Barr virus latency III-infected cells

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latency III infection converts B lymphocytes into lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) by expressing EBV nuclear and membrane proteins, EBNAs, and latent membrane proteins (LMPs), which regulate transcription through Notch and tumor necrosis factor receptor pathways. The role of NF-kappa B in LMP1 and overall EBV latency III transcriptional effects was investigated by treating LCLs with BAY11-7082 (BAY11). BAY11 rapidly and irreversibly inhibited NF-kappa B, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, induced apoptosis, and altered LCL gene expression. BAY11 effects were similar to those of an NF-kappa B inhibitor, Delta N-I kappa B alpha, in effecting decreased JNK1 expression and in microarray analyses. More than 80% of array elements that decreased with Delta N-I kappa B alpha expression decreased with BAY11 treatment. Newly identified NF-kappa B-induced, LMP1-induced, and EBV-induced genes included pleckstrin, Jun-B, c-FLIP, CIP4, and I kappa B epsilon. Of 776 significantly changed array elements, 134 were fourfold upregulated in EBV latency III, and 74 were fourfold upregulated with LMP1 expression alone, whereas only 28 were more than fourfold downregulated by EBV latency III. EBV latency III-regulated gene products mediate cell migration (EBI2, CCR7, RGS1, RANTES, MIP1 alpha, MIP1 beta, CXCR5, and RGS13), antigen presentation (major histocompatibility complex proteins and JAW1), mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway (DUSP5 and p62Dok), and interferon (IFN) signaling (IFN-gamma R alpha, IRF-4, and STAT1). Comparison of EBV latency III LCL gene expression to immunoglobulin M (IgM)-stimulated B cells, germinal-center B cells, and germinal-center-derived lymphomas clustered LCLs with IgM-stimulated B cells separately from germinal-center cells or germinal-center lymphoma cells. Expression of IRF-2, AIM1, ASK1, SNF2L2, and components of IFN signaling pathways further distinguished EBV latency III-infected B cells from IgM-stimulated or germinal-center B cells.

High physiological levels of LMP1 result in phosphorylation of eIF2 alpha in Epstein-Barr virus-infected cells

LMP1 is an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded membrane protein essential for the proliferation of EBV-infected lymphoblasts (E. Kilger, A. Kieser, M. Baumann, and W. Hammerschmidt, EMBO J. 17:1700-1709, 1998). LMP1 also inhibits gene expression and induces cytostasis in transfected cells when it is expressed at levels as little as twofold higher than the average for EBV-positive lymphoblasts (M. Sandberg, A. Kaykas, and B. Sugden, J. Virol. 74:9755-9761, 2000; A. Kaykas and B. Sugden, Oncogene 19:1400-1410, 2000). We have found that in three different clones of EBV-infected lymphoblasts the levels of expression of LMP1 in individual cells in each clone ranged over 100-fold. This difference is due to a difference in levels of the LMP1 transcript. In these clones, cells expressing high levels of LMP1 incorporated less BrdU. We also found that induction of expression of LMP1 or of a derivative of LMP1 with its transmembrane domain fused to green fluorescent protein instead of its carboxy-terminal signaling domain resulted in phosphorylation of eIF2 alpha in EBV-negative Burkitt's lymphoma cells. This induction of phosphorylation of eIF2 alpha was also detected in EBV-infected lymphoblasts, in which high levels of LMP1 correlated with high levels of phosphorylation of eIF2 alpha. Our results indicate that inhibition of gene expression and of cell proliferation by LMP1 occurs normally in EBV-infected cells.

Transcriptional Activation of Gammaherpesviral Oncogene Promoters by the Hepatitis B Viral X Protein (HBx)

The latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1) of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), saimiri transformation protein (STP) of Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS), and K1 protein of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) are potent gammaherpesvirus oncogenes. To study the possible effects of double viral infection, we investigated the effects of oncogenic early proteins of DNA viruses E1A and E1B (adenovirus-5), E6 and E7 (human papillomavirus-16), HBx (hepatitis B virus), Tag (SV40), and gammaherpesviral oncogene during co-infection in human B-lymphoma (Ramos) and human T-cell leukemia (Jurkat) cell lines. HBx transactivated the promoters of LMP1, STP, and K1 the most, by about six-, three-, and twofold, respectively. Analyses of site-directed mutation and the heterologous promoter system showed that HBx activated the promoter activity of these genes via the NF-kappaB site. These results suggest that HBV (HBx) infection of cells previously infected by gammaherpesviruses transactivates their oncogenes, resulting in possible virus-related disease pathogenesis.

Autocrine lymphotoxin production in Epstein-Barr virus-immortalized B cells: induction via NF-kappaB activation mediated by EBV-derived latent membrane protein 1

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-immortalized lymphoblastoid cells express high levels of lymphotoxin and use this molecule as an autocrine growth factor. We hypothesized that the EBV-derived latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) mediates lymphotoxin production by inducing NF-kappaB binding to the lymphotoxin promoter. We assessed lymphotoxin production, LMP1 expression, and NF-kappaB activation in Z-43 (EBV-positive lymphoblastoid cells), Daudi (EBV-positive Burkitt's cells), and 3A4 (EBV-negative Burkitt's cells containing a stably transfected tetracycline-inducible LMP1 construct). Z-43 cells expressed high levels of LMP1 (immunoblot) and lymphotoxin (ELISA); the EBV-positive Burkitt's lymphoma line Daudi expressed neither LMP1 nor lymphotoxin. Similarly, induction of LMP1 in the 3A4 cells (exposed to tetracycline) was accompanied by a 13-fold increase in lymphotoxin levels (ELISA) as compared to uninduced (LMP1-negative) cells. EMSAs demonstrated high levels of NF-kappaB activation in Z-43 and tetracycline-induced 3A4 cells, but much lower levels in the uninduced 3A4 cells. Exposure of these cells to Bay 11-7082 (an inhibitor of IkappaB phosphorylation and, therefore, NF-kappaB activation) abrogated NF-kappaB binding and lymphotoxin production in a dose-dependent manner in both Z-43 and 3A4 cells. Therefore, in our model system, autocrine lymphotoxin production is largely driven by NF-kappaB activation, which is in turn mediated by EBV-derived LMP1 signaling.

Nuclear factor kappa B-dependent activation of the antiapoptotic bfl-1 gene by the Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 and activated CD40 receptor

Suppression of the cellular apoptotic program by the oncogenic herpesvirus Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is central to both the establishment of latent infection and the development of EBV-associated malignancies. We have previously shown that expression of the EBV latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) in Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines leads to increased mRNA levels from the cellular antiapoptotic bfl-1 gene (also known as A1). Furthermore, ectopic expression of Bfl-1 in an EBV-positive cell line exhibiting a latency type 1 infection protects against apoptosis induced by growth factor deprivation (B. N. D'Souza, M. Rowe, and D. Walls, J. Virol. 74:6652-6658, 2000). We now report that LMP1 drives bfl-1 promoter activity through interactions with components of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)/CD40 signaling pathway. We present evidence that this process is NF-kappa B dependent, involves the recruitment of TNFR-associated factor 2, and is mediated to a greater extent by the carboxyl-terminal activating region 2 (CTAR2) relative to the CTAR1 domain of LMP1. Activation of CD40 receptor also led to increased bfl-1 mRNA levels and an NF-kappa B-dependent increase in bfl-1 promoter activity in Burkitt's lymphoma-derived cell lines. We have delineated a 95-bp region of the promoter that functions as an LMP1-dependent transcriptional enhancer in this cellular context. This sequence contains a novel NF-kappa B-like binding motif that is essential for transactivation of bfl-1 by LMP1, CD40, and the NF-kappa B subunit protein p65. These findings highlight the role of LMP1 as a mediator of EBV-host cell interactions and may indicate an important route by which it exerts its cellular growth transforming properties.

Elucidation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway mediated by Estein-Barr virus-encoded latent membrane protein 1

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with several human diseases including infectious mononucleosis and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. EBV-encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is oncogenic and indispensable for cellular transformation caused by EBV. Expression of LMP1 in host cells constitutively activates both the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and NF-kappaB pathways, which contributes to the oncogenic effect of LMP1. However, the underlying signaling mechanisms are not very well understood. Based mainly on overexpression studies with various dominant-negative constructs, LMP1 was generally thought to functionally mimic members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily in signaling. In contrast to the prevailing paradigm, using embryonic fibroblasts from different knockout mice and the small interfering RNA technique, we find that the LMP1-mediated JNK pathway is distinct from those mediated by either TNF-alpha or interleukin-1. Moreover, we have further elucidated the LMP1-mediated JNK pathway by demonstrating that LMP1 selectively utilizes TNF receptor-associated factor 6, TAK1/TAB1, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase kinases 1 and 2 to activate JNK.

Epstein-Barr virus latent infection membrane protein 1 TRAF-binding site induces NIK/IKK alpha-dependent noncanonical NF-kappaB activation

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent infection membrane protein 1 (LMP1)-induced NF-kappaB activation is important for infected cell survival. LMP1 activates NF-kappaB, in part, by engaging tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factors (TRAFs), which also mediate NF-kappaB activation from LTbetaR and CD40. LTbetaR and CD40 activation of p100/NF-kappaB2 is now known to be NIK/IKKalpha-dependent and IKKbeta/IKKgamma independent. In the experiments described here, we found that EBV LMP1 induced p100/NF-kappaB2 processing in human lymphoblasts and HEK293 cells. LMP1-induced p100 processing was NIK/IKKalpha dependent and IKKbeta/IKKgamma independent. Furthermore, the LMP1 TRAF-binding site was required for p100 processing and p52 nuclear localization, whereas the LMP1 death domain-binding site was not. Moreover, the LMP1 TRAF-binding site preferentially caused RelB nuclear accumulation. In murine embryo fibroblasts (MEFs), IKKbeta was essential for LMP1 up-regulation of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, TNFalpha, I-TAC, ELC, MIG, and CXCR4 RNAs. Interestingly, in IKKalpha knockout MEFs, LMP1 hyperinduced MIP-2, TNFalpha, and I-TAC expression, consistent with a role for IKKalpha in down-modulating canonical IKKbeta activation or its effects. In contrast, LMP1 failed to up-regulate CXCR4 and MIG RNA in IKKalpha knockout MEFs, indicating a dependence on noncanonical IKKalpha activation. Furthermore, LMP1 up-regulation of MIP-2 RNA in MEFs was both IKKbeta- and IKKgamma-dependent, whereas LMP1 upregulation of MIG and I-TAC RNA was fully IKKgamma independent. Thus, LMP1 induces typical canonical IKKbeta/IKKgamma-dependent, atypical canonical IKKbeta-dependent/IKKgamma-independent, and noncanonical NIK/IKKalpha-dependent NF-kappaB activations; NIK/IKKalpha-dependent NF-kappaB activation is principally mediated by the LMP1 TRAF-binding site.

Potential selection of LMP1 variants in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Seven distinct sequence variants of the Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) have been identified by distinguishing amino acid changes in the carboxy-terminal domain. In this study the transmembrane domains are shown to segregate identically with the distinct carboxy-terminal amino acid sequences. Since strains of LMP1 have been shown to differ in abundance between blood and throat washes, nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs) from areas of endemicity and nonendemicity with matching blood were analyzed by using a heteroduplex tracking assay to distinguish LMP1 variants. Striking differences were found between the compartments with the Ch1 strain prevalent in the NPCs from areas of endemicity and nonendemicity and the B958 strain prevalent in the blood of the endemic samples, whereas multiple strains of LMP1 were prevalent in the blood of the nonendemic samples. The possible selection against the B958 strain appearing in the tumor was highly significant (P < 0.0001). Sequence analysis of the full-length LMP1 variants revealed changes in many of the known and computer-predicted HLA-restricted epitopes with changes in key positions in multiple, potential epitopes for the specific HLA of the patients. These amino acid substitutions at key positions in the LMP1 epitopes may result in a reduced cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte response. These data indicate that strains with specific variants of LMP1 are more likely to be found in NPC. The predominance of specific LMP1 variants in NPC could reflect differences in the biologic or molecular properties of the distinct forms of LMP1 or possible immune selection.

Epstein-Barr virus signal transduction and B-lymphocyte growth transformation

Latent EBV growth transformation of resting B-cells into indefinitely proliferating cell lines is a successful viral strategy for survival in its host and the basis of several human malignancies. EBV transforms cell growth through viral proteins that modify cell gene expression at the level of transcription or by appropriating signaling pathways. Analyses of the EBV-transforming protein LMP1 have begun to reveal that this receptor transduces critical signals by appropriating the TNF receptor signal transduction pathway to activate NF-kappaB and MAPK. While this has brought an important aspect into clearer focus, future progress in delineating the underlying mechanism of transformation, which will be essential to devising effective therapies to treat EBV-associated malignancies, will depend on resolving the intricacies of TRAF signal transduction. Since expression of cytokines, receptors, and anti-apoptotic proteins are regulated by TRAF signaling, another critical issue is delineating the genes that are specifically targeted by LMP1 in order to transform B-lymphocyte growth.

Direct Phage to Intrabody Screening (DPIS): Demonstration by Isolation of Cytosolic Intrabodies Against the TES1 Site of Epstein Barr Virus Latent Membrane Protein 1 (LMP1) that Block NF-κB Transactivation

The expression of intracellular antibodies (intrabodies) in eukaryotic cells has provided a powerful tool to manipulate microbial and cellular signaling pathways in a highly precise manner. However, there have been several technical issues that have restricted their more widespread use. In particular, single-chain antibodies (sFv) have been reported to fold poorly in the reducing environment of the cytoplasm and as such there has been a reluctance to use sFv-phage libraries as a source of intrabodies unless a pre-selection step to identify these rare sFvs from natural libraries or libraries of engineering sFvs that could fold properly in the absence of disulfide bonds were used. Here, we investigated whether target specific sFvs that are isolated from a 15 billion member non-immune human sFv-phage display library could be directly screened in pools as intrabodies without prior knowledge of their individual identity or purity within pools of antigen-specific sFvs. As the target, we used a synthetic transformation effector site 1 (TES1) polypeptide comprising the membrane-most proximal 34 amino acid residues of the carboxy-terminal cytoplasmic tail of the oncogenic latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) of Epstein Barr virus, which serves as a docking site for adapter proteins of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor (TNFR)-associated factor (TRAF) family. Anti-TES1 sFvs, initially identified by phage ELISA screens, were grouped into pools according to the absorbance reading of the antigen-specific phage ELISA assays and then transferred as pools into eukaryotic expression vectors and expressed as cytoplasmic intrabodies. Using the pooling strategy, there was no loss of individual anti-TES1 sFvs in the transfer from prokaryotic to eukaryotic expression vectors. In addition, the initial assignments into sFv pools based on phage ELISA readings allowed the segregation of individual anti-TES1 sFvs into discrete or minimally overlapping intrabody pools. Further assessment of the biological activity of the anti-TES1 intrabody pools demonstrated that they were all able to selectively block F-LMP1-induced NFkappaB activity that was mediated through the TES1-site and to bind LMP1 protein with high efficiency. This direct phage to intrabody screening (DPIS) strategy should allow investigators to bypass much of the in vitro sFv characterization that is often not predictive of in vivo intrabody function and provide a more efficient use of large native and synthetic sFv phage libraries already in existence to identify intrabodies that are active in vivo.

Latent infection membrane protein transmembrane FWLY is critical for intermolecular interaction, raft localization, and signaling

Relatively little is known about the biochemical mechanisms through which the Epstein-Barr virus latent infection integral membrane protein 1 (LMP1) transmembrane domains cause constitutive LMP1 aggregation and continuous cytoplasmic C terminus-mediated signal transduction. We now evaluate the role of the three consecutive LMP1 hydrophobic transmembrane pairs, transmembrane domains (TM)1-2, TM3-4, and TM5-6, in intermolecular aggregation and NF-kappaB activation. LMP1TM1-2 enabled approximately 40% of wild-type LMP1 cytoplasmic domain-mediated NF-kappaB activation, whereas TM3-4 or TM5-6 assayed in parallel had almost no effect independent of LMP1TM1-2. Alanine mutagenesis of conserved residues in LMP1TM1-2 identified FWLY(38-41) to be critical for LMP1TM1-2 intermolecular association with LMP1TM3-6. Further, in contrast to wild-type LMP1, LMP1 with FWLY(38-41) mutated to AALA(38-41) did not (i). significantly partition to lipid Rafts or Barges and effectively intermolecularly associate, (ii). enable cytoplasmic C terminus engagement of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3, (iii). activate NF-kappaB, and thereby (iv). induce tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 1 expression. Other LMP1 intermolecular associations were observed that involved LMP1TM1-2/LMP1TM1-2 or LMP1TM3-4/LMP1TM3-6 interactions; these probably also contribute to LMP1 aggregation. Because FWLY(38-41) was essential for LMP1-mediated signal transduction, and LMP1 activation of NF-kappaB is essential for proliferating B lymphocyte survival, inhibition of LMP1FWLY(41)-mediated LMP1/LMP1 intermolecular interactions is an attractive therapeutic target.

Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 activation of NF-kappaB through IRAK1 and TRAF6

Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) activation of NF-kappaB is critical for Epstein-Barr virus-infected B lymphocyte survival. LMP1 activates the IkappaB kinase complex and NF-kappaB through two cytoplasmic signaling domains that engage tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF)1/2/3/5 or TRADD and RIP. We now use cells lacking expression of TRAF2, TRAF5, TRAF6, IKKalpha, IKKbeta, IKKgamma, TAB2, IL-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK)1, or IRAK4 to assess their roles in LMP1-mediated NF-kappaB activation. LMP1-induced RelA nuclear translocation was similar in IKKalpha knockout (KO) and WT murine embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) but substantially deficient in IKKbeta KO MEFs. NF-kappaB-dependent promoter responses were also substantially deficient in IKKbeta KO MEFs but were hyperactive in IKKalpha KO MEFs. More surprisingly, NF-kappaB responses were near normal in TRAF2 and TRAF5 double-KO MEFs, IKKgamma KO MEFs, TAB2 KO MEFs, and IRAK4 KO MEFs but were highly deficient in TRAF6 KO MEFs and IRAK1 KO HEK293 cells. Consistent with the importance of TRAF6, LMP1-induced NF-kappaB activation in HEK293 cells was inhibited by expression of dominant-negative TAB2 and Ubc13 alleles. These data extend a role for IKKalpha in IKKbeta regulation, identify an unusual IKKbeta-dependent and IKKgamma-independent NF-kappaB activation, and indicate that IRAK1 and TRAF6 are essential for LMP1-induced NF-kappaB activation.

Proteasomal targeting of a viral oncogene abrogates oncogenic phenotype and enhances immunogenicity

The ability of viral or mutated cellular oncogenes to initiate neoplastic events and their poor immunogenicity have considerably undermined their potential use as immunotherapeutic tools for the treatment of human cancers. Using an Epstein-Barr virus-encoded oncogene, latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), as a model, we report a novel strategy that both deactivates cellular signaling pathways associated with the oncogenic phenotype and reverses poor immunogenicity. We show that cotranslational ubiquitination combined with N-end rule targeting of LMP1 enhanced the intracellular degradation of LMP1 and total blockade of LMP1-mediated nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) activation in human cells. In addition, although murine cells expressing LMP1 were uniformly tumorigenic, this oncogenicity was completely abrogated by covalent linkage of LMP1 with ubiquitin, while an enhanced CD8+ T cell response to a model epitope fused to the C-terminus of LMP1 was observed following immunization with ubiquitinated LMP1. These observations suggest that proteasomal targeting of tumor-associated oncogenes could be exploited therapeutically by either gene therapy or vaccination.

Epstein-Barr virus-encoded latent infection membrane protein 1 regulates the processing of p100 NF-kappaB2 to p52 via an IKKgamma/NEMO-independent signalling pathway

The oncogenic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded latent infection membrane protein 1 (LMP1) constitutively activates the 'canonical' NF-kappaB pathway that involves the phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaBalpha downstream of the IkappaB kinases (IKKs). In this study, we show that LMP1 also promotes the proteasome-mediated proteolysis of p100 NF-kappaB2 resulting in the generation of active p52, which translocates to the nucleus in complex with the p65 and RelB NF-kappaB subunits. LMP1-induced NF-kappaB transactivation is reduced in nf-kb2(-/-) mouse embryo fibroblasts, suggesting that p100 processing contributes to LMP1-mediated NF-kappaB transcriptional effects. This pathway is likely to operate in vivo, as the expression of LMP1 in primary EBV-positive Hodgkin's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma biopsies correlates with the nuclear accumulation of p52. Interestingly, while the ability of LMP1 to activate the canonical NF-kappaB pathway is impaired in cells lacking IKKgamma/NEMO, the regulatory subunit of the IKK complex, p100 processing remains unaffected. As a result, nuclear translocation of p52, but not p65, occurs in the absence of IKKgamma. These data point to the existence of a novel signalling pathway that regulates NF-kappaB in LMP1-expressing cells, and may thereby play a role in both oncogenic transformation and the establishment of persistent EBV infection.

Interaction of Epstein-Barr Virus Latent Membrane Protein 1 with SCFHOS/β-TrCP E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Regulates Extent of NF-κB Activation

The Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is pivotal in the transforming activity of this virus. We found that the common LMP1-95-8 variant interacts with Homologue of Slimb (HOS), a receptor for the SCFHOS/betaTrCP ubiquitin-protein isopeptide ligase (E3) via one canonical and one cryptic HOS recognition site. These sites are mutated or deleted in the tumor-derived LMP1-Cao variant, which did not bind to HOS. Mutations within these sites on LMP1-95-8 abrogated HOS binding and increased transforming activity of LMP1. HOS did not regulate stability of LMP1-95-8 unless it was mutated to bear additional lysine residues near the cryptic motif. LMP1 proteins that could not bind to HOS exhibited an increased ability to induce IkappaB degradation and NF-kappaB-mediated transcription without further increase in activation of IkappaB kinases. Expression of LMP1-95-8 reduced the levels of endogenous HOS available to interact with phosphorylated IkappaBalpha. Degradation of IkappaBalpha and dose dependence of NF-kappaB activation by LMP1-95-8 were promoted by co-expression of HOS. Our data suggest that LMP1-95-8 is a pseudo-substrate of SCFHOS/betaTrCP E3 ubiquitin ligase and that interaction between LMP1 and HOS restricts the extent of LMP1-induced NF-kappaB signaling. We discuss the potential role of this mechanism in transforming and cytostatic effects of LMP1 variants in cells and Epstein-Barr virus-associated tumors.

Two carboxyl-terminal activation regions of Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 activate NF-kappaB through distinct signaling pathways in fibroblast cell lines

Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), an Epstein-Barr virus transforming protein, is able to activate NF-kappaB through its carboxyl-terminal activation region 1 (CTAR1) and 2 (CTAR2), but the exact role of each domain is not fully understood. Here we show that LMP1 activates NF-kappaB in different NF-kappaB essential modulator (NEMO)-defective cell lines, but not in cells lacking both IkappaB kinase 1 (IKK1) and 2 (IKK2). Mutational studies reveal that CTAR1, but not CTAR2, mediates NEMO-independent NF-kappaB activation and that this process largely depends on IKK1. Retroviral expression of LMP1 mutants in cells lacking either functional NF-kappaB inducing kinase (NIK), NEMO, IKK1, or IKK2 further illustrates distinct signals from the two activation regions of LMP1 for persistent NF-kappaB activation. One originates in CTAR2, operates through the canonical NEMO-dependent pathway, and induces NFKB2 p100 production; the second signal originates in CTAR1, utilizes NIK and IKK1, and induces the processing of p100. Our results thus help clarify how two functional domains of LMP1 persistently activate NF-kappaB through distinct signaling pathways.

Latent Membrane Protein 1, Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor–Associated Factor (TRAF) 1, TRAF-2, TRAF-3, and Nuclear Factor Kappa B Expression in Posttransplantation Lymphoproliferative Disorders

Context.—Most posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. The EBV latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) is important in the transformation of B lymphocytes through its interaction with intracellular tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated factors (TRAFs) that, in turn, can activate transcription factors such as nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) and Jun-N-kinase. Of the 6 members of the TRAF family, TRAF-1, TRAF-2, and TRAF-3 are most commonly associated with LMP-1. Recently, it has been suggested that LMP-1–induced TRAF activation is important in the pathogenesis of PTLDs.

Objective.—To characterize the expression patterns of these proteins in PTLDs, we studied a series of well-characterized cases for expression of LMP-1, TRAF-1, TRAF-2, TRAF-3, and NFκB by immunohistochemical analysis.

Methods.—A total of 27 specimens from 25 patients were analyzed for LMP-1, TRAF-1, TRAF-2, TRAF-3, and NFκB (active form) by immunohistochemical analysis. Expression of EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) was evaluated by in situ hybridization. Correlation between the expression of the different markers was performed using the Mantel-Haenszel χ2 test. Cox proportional hazards analysis and Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank testing were used to analyze antigen expression and clinical outcome.

Results.—Ninety-six percent of PTLDs expressed NFκB, 74% to 84% expressed TRAFs, 78% expressed EBER, and 77% expressed LMP-1. TRAF-1, TRAF-2, and TRAF-3 expression did not correlate with either EBER or LMP-1 expression. TRAF-2, but not TRAF-1 or TRAF-3, expression correlated with NFκB expression (P = .02).

Conclusions.—These results suggest that TRAF molecules and active NFκB are expressed in PTLDs regardless of EBV positivity. Given the association of TRAF-2 and active NFκB expression, TRAF-2 may play an important role in regulating this transcription factor in PTLD.

Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1: structure and functions

The Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein (LMP) 1 is a versatile protein that has profound effects on target cells through its effect on constitutive cellular proteins, e.g. TRAFs, TRADD, RIP, JAK3, BRAM1, and p85. LMP1 can stimulate or inhibit signaling pathways, resulting in transformation of rodent fibroblast cell lines, blockade of differentiation in epithelial cells, upregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins, production of cytokines, upregulation of cell surface markers, upregulation of DNA methyltransferase activity, and downregulation of cell adhesion molecules and cyclin-dependent kinases. Overall, this results in greater transformation and survival in LMP1-expressing cells. Within nasopharyngeal carcinoma biopsy tissues, a naturally occurring LMP1 variant has been identified as having a 10-amino acid deletion in the C-terminus that seems to confer greater transformation potential than non-deleted LMP1. The role of LMP1 as a viral oncogene and its interaction with cellular factors are discussed.

Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and NF-kappaB pathways by a Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus K15 membrane protein

The K15 gene of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (also known as human herpesvirus 8) consists of eight alternatively spliced exons and has been predicted to encode membrane proteins with a variable number of transmembrane regions and a common C-terminal cytoplasmic domain with putative binding sites for SH2 and SH3 domains, as well as for tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors. These features are reminiscent of the latent membrane proteins LMP-1 and LMP2A of Epstein-Barr virus and, more distantly, of the STP, Tip, and Tio proteins of the related gamma(2)-herpesviruses herpesvirus saimiri and herpesvirus ateles. These viral membrane proteins can activate a number of intracellular signaling pathways. We have therefore examined the abilities of different K15-encoded proteins to initiate intracellular signaling. We found that a 45-kDa K15 protein derived from all eight K15 exons and containing 12 predicted transmembrane domains in addition to the cytoplasmic domain activated the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NF-kappaB pathways, as well as (more weakly) the c-Jun N-terminal kinase/SAPK pathway. Activation of the MAPK and NF-kappaB pathways required phosphorylation of tyrosine residue 481 within a putative SH2-binding site (YEEVL). This motif was phosphorylated by the tyrosine kinases Src, Lck, Yes, Hck, and Fyn. The region containing the YEEVL motif interacted with tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF-2), and a dominant negative TRAF-2 mutant inhibited the K15-mediated activation of the Ras/MAPK pathway, suggesting the involvement of TRAF-2 in the initiation of these signaling routes. In contrast, several smaller K15 protein isoforms activated these pathways only weakly. All of the K15 isoforms tested were, however, localized in lipid rafts, suggesting that incorporation into lipid rafts is not sufficient to initiate signaling. Additional regions of K15, located presumably in exons 2 to 5, may therefore contribute to the activation of these pathways. These findings illustrate that the 45-kDa K15 protein engages pathways similar to LMP1, LMP2A, STP, Tip, and Tio but combines functional features that are separated between LMP1 and LMP2A or STP and Tip.

NF-kappaB inhibits gammaherpesvirus lytic replication

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, and B-cell lymphomas are human malignancies associated with gammaherpesvirus infections. Members of this virus family are characterized by their ability to establish latent infections in lymphocytes. The latent viral genome expresses very few gene products. The infected cells are therefore poorly recognized by the host immune system, allowing the virus to persist for long periods of time. We sought to identify the cell-specific factors that allow these viruses to redirect their life cycle from productive replication to latency. We find that the cellular transcription factor NF-kappaB can regulate this process. Epithelial cells and fibroblasts support active (lytic) gammaherpesvirus replication and have low NF-kappaB activity. However, overexpression of NF-kappaB in these cells inhibits the replication of the gammaherpesvirus murine herpesvirus 68 (MHV68). In addition, overexpression of NF-kappaB inhibits the activation of lytic promoters from MHV68 and human gammaherpesviruses Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). In lymphocytes latently infected with KSHV or EBV, the level of NF-kappaB activity is high, and treatment of these cells with an NF-kappaB inhibitor leads to lytic protein synthesis consistent with virus reactivation. These results suggest that high levels of NF-kappaB can inhibit gammaherpesvirus lytic replication and may therefore contribute to the establishment and maintenance of viral latency in lymphocytes. They also suggest that NF-kappaB may be a novel target for the disruption of virus latency and therefore the treatment of gammaherpesvirus-related malignancies.

Latent membrane protein 1 of Epstein-Barr virus induces CD83 by the NF-kappaB signaling pathway

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects human resting B cells and transforms them in vitro into continuously growing lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). EBV nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2) is one of the first viral proteins expressed after infection. It is able to transactivate viral as well as cellular target genes by interaction with cellular transcription factors. EBNA2 target genes can be studied easily by using an LCL (ER/EB2-5) in which wild-type EBNA2 is replaced by an estrogen-inducible EBNA2. Since the cell surface molecule CD83, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and a marker for mature dendritic cells, appeared on the surface of ER/EB2-5 cells within 3 h after the addition of estrogen, we analyzed the regulation of CD83 induction by EBV in more detail. Despite its rapid induction, CD83 turned out to be an indirect target gene of EBNA2. We could show that the viral latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is responsible for the induction of CD83 by using an LCL expressing a ligand- or antibody-inducible recombinant nerve growth factor receptor-LMP1 fusion protein. The inducibility of the CD83 promoter by LMP1 was mediated by the activation of NF-kappaB, as seen by use of luciferase reporter assays using the CD83 promoter and LMP1 mutants. Additionally, fusion constructs of the transmembrane domain of LMP1 and the intracellular signaling domain of CD40, TNF-R1, and TNF-R2 likewise transactivated the CD83 promoter via NF-kappaB. Our studies show that CD83 is also a target of the NF-kappaB signaling pathway in B cells.

LMP1, a viral relative of the TNF receptor family, signals principally from intracellular compartments

Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded, ligand-independent receptor that mimics CD40. We report here that LMP1 signals principally from intracellular compartments. LMP1 associates simultaneously with lipid rafts and with its signaling molecules, tumor necrosis factor-receptor (TNF-R)-associated factors (TRAFs) and TNF-R1-associated death domain protein (TRADD) intracellularly, although it can be detected at low levels at the plasma membrane, indicating that most of LMP1's signaling complex resides in intracellular compartments. LMP1's signaling is independent of its accumulation at the plasma membrane in different cells, and as demonstrated by a mutant of LMP1 which has significantly reduced localization at the plasma membrane yet signals as efficiently as does wild-type LMP1. The fusion of the transmembrane domain of LMP1 to signaling domains of CD40, TNF-R1 and Fas activates their signaling; we demonstrate that a fusion of LMP1 with CD40 recruits TRAF2 intracellularly. Our results imply that members of the TNF-R family can signal from intracellular compartments containing lipid rafts and may do so when they act in autocrine loops.

The molecular basis for the generation of Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkin's lymphoma

Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is a lymphoid neoplasm with a low frequency of malignant tumor cells, known as Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (H-RS) cells, in a background of mixed cellular infiltrates. Despite extensive studies on H-RS cells, the molecular mechanisms of their growth and regulation have remained uncertain for a long period. Recently, constitutively activated nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) was reported to be a unique and common characteristic of H-RS cells that prevents the cells from undergoing apoptosis. NF-kappaB triggers proliferation and provides a molecular basis for these cells' aberrant growth and cytokine gene expression. In HL pathogenesis associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection, the activation of NF-kappaB is induced by viral latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1). Coupled with recent insights into the molecular mechanisms of activation of NF-kappaB signaling in H-RS cells, this review discusses a linkage between LMP1 and HL via CD99, which has recently been reported to be down-regulated by LMP1 through the NF-kappaB signaling pathway. This down-regulation leads to the generation of cells with H-RS phenotypes related to the clinical and histologic characteristics of HL.

A positive autoregulatory loop of LMP1 expression and STAT activation in epithelial cells latently infected with Epstein-Barr virus

STAT3 and STAT5 are constitutively activated and nuclear in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells. In normal signaling, STATs are only transiently activated. To investigate whether Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and in particular the protein LMP1, contributes to sustained STAT phosphorylation and activation in epithelial cells, we examined STAT activity in two sets of paired cell lines, HeLa, an EBV-converted HeLa cell line, HeLa-Bx1, the NPC-derived cell line CNE2-LNSX, and an LMP1-expressing derivative, CNE2-LMP1. EBV infection was associated with a significant increase in the tyrosine-phosphorylated forms of STAT3 and STAT5 in HeLa-Bx1 cells. This effect correlated with LMP1 expression, since phosphorylated STAT3 and STAT5 levels were also increased in CNE2-LMP1 cells relative to the control CNE2-LNSX cells. No change was observed in STAT1 or STAT6 phosphorylation in these cell lines, nor was there a significant change in the levels of total STAT3, STAT5, STAT1, or STAT6 protein. Tyrosine phosphorylation allows the normally cytoplasmic STAT proteins to enter the nucleus and bind to their recognition sequences in responsive promoters. The ability of LMP1 to activate STAT3 was further established by immunofluorescence assays in which coexpression of LMP1 in transfected cells was sufficient to mediate nuclear relocalization of Flag-STAT3 and by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay which showed that LMP1 expression in CNE2-LNSX cells was associated with increased endogenous STAT3 DNA binding activity. In addition, the activity of a downstream target of STAT3, c-Myc, was upregulated in HeLa-Bx1 and CNE2-LMP1 cells. A linkage was established between interleukin-6 (IL-6)- and LMP1-mediated STAT3 activation. Treatment with IL-6 increased phosphorylated STAT3 levels in CNE2-LNSX cells, and conversely, treatment of CNE2-LMP1 cells with IL-6 neutralizing antibody ablated STAT3 activation and c-Myc upregulation. The previous observation that STAT3 activated the LMP1 terminal repeat promoter in reporter assays was extended to show upregulated expression of endogenous LMP1 mRNA and protein in HeLa-Bx1 cells transfected with a constitutively activated STAT3. A model is proposed in which EBV infection of an epithelial cell containing activated STATs would permit LMP1 expression. This in turn would establish a positive feedback loop of IL-6-induced STAT activation, LMP1 and Qp-EBNA1 expression, and viral genome persistence.

Distinct patterns of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation and Epstein-Barr virus gene expression in Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines versus B lymphoblastoid cell lines

In order to understand mechanistic relationships between signaling pathways regulating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation, we compared MAPK phosphorylation, and EBV reactivation and latency in Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines (BLCLs) versus B lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). EBV was reactivated in the BLCLs Akata and Raji, and in a LCL OB-R33 cells after cross-linking surface immunoglobulin (sIg) with anti-Ig. After stimulation with anti-Ig, MAPK phosphorylation was strongly induced in all BLCLs and in a few LCLs, but not in other LCLs. MAPK was constitutively phosphorylated in most LCLs but not in BLCLs. Expression of EBNA2 and LMP1, and LMP2A was analyzed with both immunoblotting and RT-PCR. EBNA2 and LMP1 were expressed in most LCLs and in some BLCLs. LMP2A was expressed in all BLCLs and LCLs except Namalwa cells. To test the hypothesis that LMPI induces constitutive MAPK phosphorylation, the LMP1 expression vector was transfected into Akata cells. MAPK phosphorylation was not induced in such transfected cells. Our results indicate that BLCLs and LCLs respectively have distinct MAPK phosphorylation patterns, and that induction of MAPK phosphorylation correlates with EBV reactivation in a few cell lines but not in most of the tested cell lines.

A positive autoregulatory loop of LMP1 expression and STAT activation in epithelial cells latently infected with Epstein-Barr virus

STAT3 and STAT5 are constitutively activated and nuclear in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells. In normal signaling, STATs are only transiently activated. To investigate whether Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and in particular the protein LMP1, contributes to sustained STAT phosphorylation and activation in epithelial cells, we examined STAT activity in two sets of paired cell lines, HeLa, an EBV-converted HeLa cell line, HeLa-Bx1, the NPC-derived cell line CNE2-LNSX, and an LMP1-expressing derivative, CNE2-LMP1. EBV infection was associated with a significant increase in the tyrosine-phosphorylated forms of STAT3 and STAT5 in HeLa-Bx1 cells. This effect correlated with LMP1 expression, since phosphorylated STAT3 and STAT5 levels were also increased in CNE2-LMP1 cells relative to the control CNE2-LNSX cells. No change was observed in STAT1 or STAT6 phosphorylation in these cell lines, nor was there a significant change in the levels of total STAT3, STAT5, STAT1, or STAT6 protein. Tyrosine phosphorylation allows the normally cytoplasmic STAT proteins to enter the nucleus and bind to their recognition sequences in responsive promoters. The ability of LMP1 to activate STAT3 was further established by immunofluorescence assays in which coexpression of LMP1 in transfected cells was sufficient to mediate nuclear relocalization of Flag-STAT3 and by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay which showed that LMP1 expression in CNE2-LNSX cells was associated with increased endogenous STAT3 DNA binding activity. In addition, the activity of a downstream target of STAT3, c-Myc, was upregulated in HeLa-Bx1 and CNE2-LMP1 cells. A linkage was established between interleukin-6 (IL-6)- and LMP1-mediated STAT3 activation. Treatment with IL-6 increased phosphorylated STAT3 levels in CNE2-LNSX cells, and conversely, treatment of CNE2-LMP1 cells with IL-6 neutralizing antibody ablated STAT3 activation and c-Myc upregulation. The previous observation that STAT3 activated the LMP1 terminal repeat promoter in reporter assays was extended to show upregulated expression of endogenous LMP1 mRNA and protein in HeLa-Bx1 cells transfected with a constitutively activated STAT3. A model is proposed in which EBV infection of an epithelial cell containing activated STATs would permit LMP1 expression. This in turn would establish a positive feedback loop of IL-6-induced STAT activation, LMP1 and Qp-EBNA1 expression, and viral genome persistence.