Abstract

The Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is a human herpesvirus, and is closely related to many malignancies of lymphocyte and epithelial origins, such as gastric cancer, Burkitt’s lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignant epithelial tumor which is 100% associated with EBV latent infection. Most of the NPC cases are concentrated in southern China, especially in Guangdong and Hong Kong. To our knowledge, overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines may result in a loss of balance of the immune system and cause damage to human bodies. IL6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine which is important in tumor progression1. In addition, gene expression is regulated by both transcriptional and post-transcriptional pathways, post-transcriptional regulation is an important mechanism to modulate the mature mRNA level in mammalian cells. AU-rich element binding factor 1 (AUF1)/heterogeneous nuclear RNP D (hnRNP D) is known for its function in destabilizing mRNAs, including cytokines and cell cycle regulators. Previous studies have found that overexpression of hnRNP D would lead to tumorigenesis. In this project, our aim is to determine the role of hnRNP D played in EBV-infected cells and how the anti-EBV agents will affect the function of hnRNP D. The results of this study will provide a new insight of how the pro-inflammatory cytokine expression can be regulated by EBV.

Reference:

1. Zegeye, M. M.;  Lindkvist, M.;  Fälker, K.;  Kumawat, A. K.;  Paramel, G.;  Grenegård, M.;  Sirsjö, A.;  Ljungberg, L. U. J. C. C. Cell communication and Signaling, 2018, 16 (1), 1-10.