Epstein-Barr virus renders the infected natural killer cell line, NKL resistant to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis

Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus Infection: The Elucidation of the Pathophysiology and the Development of Therapeutic Methods

Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV) is a disease where Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected T- or NK-cells are activated and proliferate clonally. The symptoms of this dual-faced disease include systemic inflammation and multiple organ failures caused by the invasion of infected cells: inflammation and neoplasm. At present, the only effective treatment strategy to eradicate EBV-infected cells is allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Lately, the investigation into the disease's pathogenic mechanism and pathophysiology has been advancing. In this review, I will evaluate the new definition in the 2017 WHO classification, present the advancements in the study of CAEBV, and unfold the future direction.

Efficient recruitment of c-FLIPL to the death-inducing signaling complex leads to Fas resistance in natural killer-cell lymphoma

Activation‐induced cell death (AICD) mediated by the Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) system plays a key role in regulating immune response. Although normal natural killer (NK) cells use this system for their homeostasis, malignant NK cells seem to disrupt the process. Extranodal NK/T‐cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKL) is a rare but fatal disease, for which novel therapeutic targets need to be identified. We confirmed that ENKL‐derived NK cell lines NK‐YS and Hank1, and primary lymphoma cells expressed procaspase‐8/FADD‐like interleukin‐1β‐converting enzyme (FLICE) modulator and cellular FLICE‐inhibitory protein (c‐FLIP), along with Fas and FasL. Compared with Fas‐sensitive Jurkat cells, NK‐YS and Hank1 showed resistance to Fas‐mediated apoptosis in spite of the same expression levels of c‐FLIP and the death‐inducing signaling complex (DISC) formation. Unexpectedly, the long isoform of c‐FLIP (c‐FLIP_L) was coimmunoprecipitated with Fas predominantly in both ENKL‐derived NK cell lines after Fas ligation. Indeed, c‐FLIP_L was more sufficiently recruited to the DISC in both ENKL‐derived NK cell lines than in Jurkat cells after Fas ligation. Knockdown of c‐FLIP_L per se enhanced autonomous cell death and restored the sensitivity to Fas in both NK‐YS and Hank1 cells. Although ENKL cells are primed for AICD, they constitutively express and efficiently utilize c‐FLIP_L, which prevents their Fas‐mediated apoptosis. Our results show that c‐FLIP_L could be a promising therapeutic target against ENKL.

Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection: a bi-faceted disease with inflammatory and neoplastic elements

Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV) is one of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive T- or NK-cell lymphoproliferative diseases. It is characterized by clonal proliferation of EBV-infected T or NK cells and their infiltration into systemic organs, leading to their failure. Inflammatory symptoms, fever, lymphadenopathy and liver dysfunction are main clinical findings of CAEBV. EBV itself contributes to the survival of the host cells via induction of CD40 and CD137 expression and constitutive activation of NF-κB. Accumulation of gene mutations in the infected cells may lead to the development of highly malignant lymphoma or leukemia. Furthermore, constitutive activation of STAT3 is detected in the infected cells, which not only promotes cell survival but also enhances production of inflammatory cytokines. Currently, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is the only effective treatment strategy for eradication of EBV-infected T or NK cells. However, active disease at the time of allo-HSCT (defined as presence of fever, liver dysfunction, progressive skin lesions, vasculitis or uveitis) is a negative prognostic factor. Establishment of chemotherapy regimens for effective resolution of disease activity in patients with CAEBV is a key imperative. Based on the recently unraveled molecular mechanisms CAEBV development, pathways mediated by NF-κB or JAK/STAT are potential novel therapeutic targets.

Advances in the Study of Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus Infection: Clinical Features Under the 2016 WHO Classification and Mechanisms of Development

Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV) is one of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive T- or NK-lymphoproliferative diseases. It is considered rare and geographically limited to Japan and East Asia. However, CAEBV is drawing international attention, and the number of case reported worldwide is increasing, after its classification in the EBV-positive T- or NK-cell neoplasms, in the 2016 WHO classification. In this article, I review current advances in the study of CAEBV under the new definition and show future directions. In CAEBV, EBV-infected T or NK cells clonally proliferate and infiltrate multiple organs, leading to their failure. These characteristics define CAEBV as a lymphoid neoplasm. However, the main symptom of CAEBV is inflammation. Recently, the mechanisms underlying the development of CAEBV have gradually become clearer. EBV infection of T or NK cells can occur during the acute phase of primary infection with a high EBV load in the peripheral blood. In addition, it was reported that cytotoxic T cells decreased in numbers or showed dysfunction in CAEBV. These findings suggest that undetermined immunosuppressive disorders may underlie persistent infection of T or NK cells. Furthermore, EBV itself contributes to the survival of host cells. In vitro EBV infection of T cells induced intercellular survival-promoting pathways. Constitutive activation of NF-kB and STAT3 was observed in EBV-positive T or NK cells in CAEBV, promoting not only cell survival but also CAEBV development. During the disease course, CAEBV can lead to two lethal conditions: hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and chemotherapy-resistant lymphoma. It is necessary to start treatment before these conditions develop. At present, the only effective treatment strategy for eradicating EBV-infected T or NK cells is allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). However, patients with an active disease, in which the condition is accompanied by fever, liver dysfunction, progressive skin lesions, vasculitis, or uveitis, had worse outcomes after allo-HSCT, than patients with an inactive disease had. Unfortunately, current chemotherapies are insufficient to improve the activity of CAEBV. Based on the molecular mechanisms for the development of the disease, the NF-kB, or JAK/STAT mediating pathways are attractive candidate targets for new treatments.

Targeting BCL2 with venetoclax is a promising therapeutic strategy for "double-proteinexpression" lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 rearrangements

The so-called “double-hit” and “double-protein-expression” lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 rearrangements is a rare, mature B-cell neoplasm characterized by a germinal center B-cell phenotype, abundant protein expression of MYC and BCL2, rapid disease progression, and a poor prognosis. In this study, we showed the potential benefit of the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax in the treatment of this disease. Immunohistochemical studies of the lymphoma tissues confirmed that overexpression of MYC and BCL2 was observed more frequently in this subtype than in other germinal center B-cell-like diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. In contrast, another pro-survival protein MCL1 was less expressed in this subtype, even when compared with its expression in the non-“double-hit” and “double-protein-expression” type. Furthermore, in vitro studies using two “double-hit” and “double-protein-expression” lymphoma-derived cell lines, Karpas231 and OCI-Ly8, clearly showed that a low concentration of venetoclax, but not the MCL1 inhibitor S63845, was sufficient to induce apoptosis in the two lines, compared with in other germinal center B-cell-derived cell lines, BJAB and SU-DHL10. These results indicate that the survival of this type of lymphoma depends predominantly on BCL2 rather than on MCL1. Unexpectedly, we found that venetoclax not only disrupts the interaction between BCL2 and the pro-apoptotic protein BIM, but also leads to dephosphorylation of BCL2 and further downregulates MCL1 protein expression, probably through modulation of the protein phosphatase 2A B56α activity in Karpas231 and OCI-Ly8. Indeed, a low concentration of venetoclax induced substantial apoptosis in the primary lymphoma cells, regardless of high protein expression of MCL1 associated with venetoclax resistance. Venetoclax clearly triggers the signal transduction related to BCL2 and MCL1 in “double-hit” and “double-protein-expression” lymphoma cells.

Tofacitinib induces G1 cell-cycle arrest and inhibits tumor growth in Epstein-Barr virus-associated T and natural killer cell lymphoma cells

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects not only B cells, but also T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, and is associated with T or NK cell lymphoma. These lymphoid malignancies are refractory to conventional chemotherapy. We examined the activation of the JAK3/STAT5 pathway in EBV-positive and -negative B, T and NK cell lines and in cell samples from patients with EBV-associated T cell lymphoma. We then evaluated the antitumor effects of the selective JAK3 inhibitor, tofacitinib, against these cell lines in vitro and in a murine xenograft model. We found that all EBV-positive T and NK cell lines and patient samples tested displayed activation of the JAK3/STAT5 pathway. Treatment of these cell lines with tofacitinib reduced the levels of phospho-STAT5, suppressed proliferation, induced G1 cell-cycle arrest and decreased EBV LMP1 and EBNA1 expression. An EBV-negative NK cell line was also sensitive to tofacitinib, whereas an EBV-infected NK cell line was more sensitive to tofacitinib than its parental line. Tofacitinib significantly inhibited the growth of established tumors in NOG mice. These findings suggest that tofacitinib may represent a useful therapeutic agent for patients with EBV-associated T and NK cell lymphoma.

The heat shock protein 90 inhibitor BIIB021 suppresses the growth of T and natural killer cell lymphomas

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which infects not only B cells but also T and natural killer (NK) cells, is associated with a variety of lymphoid malignancies. Because EBV-associated T and NK cell lymphomas are refractory and resistant to conventional chemotherapy, there is a continuing need for new effective therapies. EBV-encoded “latent membrane protein 1” (LMP1) is a major oncogene that activates nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathways, thus promoting cell growth and inhibiting apoptosis. Recently, we screened a library of small-molecule inhibitors and isolated heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitors as candidate suppressors of LMP1 expression. In this study, we evaluated the effects of BIIB021, a synthetic Hsp90 inhibitor, against EBV-positive and -negative T and NK lymphoma cell lines. BIIB021 decreased the expression of LMP1 and its downstream signaling proteins, NF-κB, JNK, and Akt, in EBV-positive cell lines. Treatment with BIIB021 suppressed proliferation in multiple cell lines, although there was no difference between the EBV-positive and -negative lines. BIIB021 also induced apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle at G1 or G2. Further, it down-regulated the protein levels of CDK1, CDK2, and cyclin D3. Finally, we evaluated the in vivo effects of the drug; BIIB021 inhibited the growth of EBV-positive NK cell lymphomas in a murine xenograft model. These results suggest that BIIB021 has suppressive effects against T and NK lymphoma cells through the induction of apoptosis or a cell cycle arrest. Moreover, BIIB021 might help to suppress EBV-positive T or NK cell lymphomas via the down-regulation of LMP1 expression.

Anti-tumor effects of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid on Epstein-Barr virus-associated T cell and natural killer cell lymphoma

The ubiquitous Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infects not only B cells but also T cells and natural killer (NK) cells and is associated with various lymphoid malignancies. Recent studies have reported that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors exert anticancer effects against various tumor cells. In the present study, we have evaluated both the in vitro and in vivo effects of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), an HDAC inhibitor, on EBV-positive and EBV-negative T and NK lymphoma cells. Several EBV-positive and EBV-negative T and NK cell lines were treated with various concentrations of SAHA. SAHA suppressed the proliferation of T and NK cell lines, although no significant difference was observed between EBV-positive and EBV-negative cell lines. SAHA induced apoptosis and/or cell cycle arrest in several T and NK cell lines. In addition, SAHA increased the expression of EBV-lytic genes and decreased the expression of EBV-latent genes. Next, EBV-positive NK cell lymphoma cells were subcutaneously inoculated into severely immunodeficient NOD/Shi-scid/IL-2Rγnull mice, and then SAHA was administered intraperitoneally. SAHA inhibited tumor progression and metastasis in the murine xenograft model. SAHA displayed a marked suppressive effect against EBV-associated T and NK cell lymphomas through either induction of apoptosis or cell cycle arrest, and may represent an alternative treatment option.

Antitumor activities of valproic acid on Epstein-Barr virus-associated T and natural killer lymphoma cells

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which infects B cells, T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells, is associated with multiple lymphoid malignancies. Recently, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have been reported to have anticancer effects against various tumor cells. In the present study, we evaluated the killing effect of valproic acid (VPA), which acts as an HDAC inhibitor, on EBV-positive and -negative T and NK lymphoma cells. Treatment of multiple T and NK cell lines (SNT13, SNT16, Jurkat, SNK6, KAI3 and KHYG1) with 0.1-5 mM of VPA inhibited HDAC, increased acetylated histone levels and reduced cell viability. No significant differences were seen between EBV-positive and -negative cell lines. Although VPA induced apoptosis in some T and NK cell lines (SNT16, Jurkat and KHYG1) and cell cycle arrest, it did not induce lytic infection in EBV-positive T or NK cell lines. Because the killing effect of VPA was modest (1 mM VPA reduced cell viability by between 22% and 56%), we tested the effects of the combination of 1 mM of VPA and 0.01 μM of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. The combined treated of cells with VPA and bortezomib had an additive killing effect. Finally, we administered VPA to peripheral blood mononuclear cells from three patients with EBV-associated T or NK lymphoproliferative diseases. In these studies, VPA had a greater killing effect against EBV-infected cells than uninfected cells, and the effect was increased when VPA was combined with bortezomib. These results indicate that VPA has antitumor effects on T and NK lymphoma cells and that VPA and bortezomib may have synergistic effects, irrespective of the presence of EBV.

Bortezomib induces apoptosis in T lymphoma cells and natural killer lymphoma cells independent of Epstein-Barr virus infection

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which infects not only B cells, but also T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, is associated with multiple lymphoid malignancies. Recently, the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib was reported to induce apoptosis of EBV-transformed B cells. We evaluated the killing effect of this proteasome inhibitor on EBV-associated T lymphoma cells and NK lymphoma cells. First, we found that bortezomib treatment decreased the viability of multiple T and NK cell lines. No significant difference was observed between EBV-positive and EBV-negative cell lines. The decreased viability in response to bortezomib treatment was abrogated by a pan-caspase inhibitor. The induction of apoptosis was confirmed by flow cytometric assessment of annexin V staining. Additionally, cleavage of caspases and polyadenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase, increased expression of phosphorylated IκB, and decreased expression of inhibitor of apoptotic proteins were detected by immunoblotting in bortezomib-treated cell lines. We found that bortezomib induced lytic infection in EBV-positive T cell lines, although the existence of EBV did not modulate the killing effect of bortezomib. Finally, we administered bortezomib to peripheral blood mononuclear cells from five patients with EBV-associated lymphoproliferative diseases. Bortezomib had a greater killing effect on EBV-infected cells. These results indicate that bortezomib killed T or NK lymphoma cells by inducing apoptosis, regardless of the presence or absence of EBV.