Prediction of MicroRNAs in the Epstein-Barr Virus Reveals Potential Targets for the Viral Self-Regulation

Immune Escape by Non-coding RNAs of the Epstein Barr Virus

Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most successful pathogens of humans, persistently colonizing more than 95% of the adult human population. At the same time EBV encodes oncogenes that can readily transform human B cells in culture and threaten healthy virus carriers with lymphomagenesis. Cytotoxic lymphocytes have been identified in experimental models and by primary immunodeficiencies as the main protective immune compartments controlling EBV. EBV has reached a stalemate with these cytotoxic T and innate lymphocytes to ensure persistence in most infected humans. Recent evidence suggests that the non-coding RNAs of the virus contribute to viral immune escape to prevent immune eradication. This knowledge might be used in the future to attenuate EBV for vaccine development against this human tumor virus that was discovered more than 55 years ago.

Epstein-Barr virus microRNAs in the pathogenesis of human cancers

The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is a gamma-herpesvirus involved with a variety of human cancers, notably the endemic Burkitt lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In 2004, EBV was described as one the first known human oncoviruses to encode viral microRNAs (miRNAs), and these molecules were found to interact with viral and host targets. EBV miRNAs modulate biological processes that are critical for carcinogenesis, contributing to cell transformation and tumor progression of EBV-associated cancers. Herein we review and discuss EBV miRNAs as modulators of viral biology and carcinogenesis, as well as their usefulness as putative markers to monitor the onset, progression, and recurrence of cancers associated with the EBV infection.