Research Abstract

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is a human herpesvirus in the lymphocryptovirus subgroup which infects and persists asymptomatically for life in most humans. EBV infection is also associated with the development of Burkitt's Lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and B cell lymphomas in AIDS and other immunosuppressed patients. Our research is focused on the molecular pathogenesis of lymphocryptoviruses and utilizes a rhesus monkey model for EBV infection that we have recently developed. We are specifically interested in the role of specific LCV genes during acute infection in a natural host, during persistent infection, and for tumorigenesis. We are focusing on the virus: host interactions in immunocompetent, as well as immunosuppressed (eg HIV and SIV infected) hosts that are important for control of EBV infection and EBV-induced lymphoproliferative disease. The interaction of LCV with epithelial cells in the oropharynx is also an important issue that is being addressed in the animal model and which has important implications for EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma.