Tumor formation in nude mice inoculated with cultured human epithelial cells co-expressing Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 and Bcl-2.

Abstract

AIMS:

To examine the tumor-forming in nude mice of human epithelial cells co-expressed Bcl-2 and EBV LMP-1 ability, the phenotype of tumor cells and their expression of oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes.

METHODS:

Following an in vivo tumorigenesis test in nude mice, the phenotype and growth properties of tumor cells were observed. Levels of expression of Bcl-2, and EBV LMP-1, and of onco- and tumor-suppressor proteins were detected by Western blot assay.

RESULTS:

Human epithelial cells co-expressing Bcl-2 and EBV LMP-1 can form tumors in nude mice. Tumors appeared 48-65 days postinoculation in 6 of 10 nude mice tested but not in mice given Bcl-2-positive (0/5), LMP-1-positive (0/5) and RHEK-1 control (0/5) cells. Levels of c-myc protein were upregulated by LMP-1 but were not affected by Bcl-2 in this cell background; screening for other cellular oncogene and tumor suppressor gene products showed no change.

CONCLUSION:

The complementary effects of EBV LMP-1 and Bcl-2 in human epithelial cells resulted in tumor formation in nude mice but did not affect the expression of onco- and tumor suppressor proteins except for elevated c-myc. These findings suggest that LMP-1 and Bcl-2 can contribute together to the formation of EBV-associated epithelial cell tumors.

• Authors: John Jenn-Yenn Lu, Jong-Ding Lay
• Journal: Intervirology (Intervirology) Vol. 50 Issue 6 Pg. 454-60 ( 2007) ISSN: 1423-0100 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 18268409 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

Chemical References

• EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
• Viral Matrix Proteins

Topics

• Animals
• Epithelial Cells (metabolism, pathology, virology)
• Epstein-Barr Virus Infections (physiopathology, virology)
• Genes, bcl-2
• Herpesvirus 4, Human (pathogenicity)
• Humans
• Mice
• Mice, Nude
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 (genetics, metabolism)
• Tumor Virus Infections
• Viral Matrix Proteins (metabolism)