Variable expression of Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein I in Reed-Sternberg cells of Hodgkin's disease

Acta Med Okayama. 1996 Oct;50(5):267-70. doi: 10.18926/AMO/30493.

Abstract

Reed-Sternberg cells (RS cells) of Hodgkin's disease (HD) are frequently infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and express EBV-encoded nonpolyadenylated RNA transcripts (EBER)-1. EBV latency has been classified into three distinct forms: Latency I, expressing only one of the latent proteins, EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA)-1, latency II, coexpressing EBNA-1 and LMPs, and latency III, expressing all latent viral proteins. RS cells express LMP-1 in addition to EBNA-1 and are considered to be EBV latency II frequently encountered in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. We examined 13 cases of EBV-infected HD by combined EBER-1 in situ hybridization and immunostaining for LMP-1. All of the RS cells expressed EBER-1, but a substantial number of EBER-1+ RS, cells were negative for LMP-1. The percentage of LMP-1+ RS cells out of EBER-1+ RS cells varied from 7% to 100% (average 69%). In this study, we showed that all EBV-infected RS cells were not restricted to latency II, and some belonged to latency I.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / metabolism
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / physiology*
  • Hodgkin Disease / pathology*
  • Hodgkin Disease / virology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Reed-Sternberg Cells / virology*
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / metabolism*
  • Virus Latency*

Substances

  • Viral Matrix Proteins