The expression of the Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen (EBNA-I) in oral hairy leukoplakia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL) is characterised by the presence of a replicative Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the superficial layers of the epithelium. There is some doubt, however, whether this reflects activation of a latent infection of the basal epithelial cells. EBV latency is associated with the expression of the viral gene product EBNA-I and the aim of this study was to investigate EBNA-I expression in OHL.

METHODS:

22 biopsies of clinically suspicious OHL and three cases of normal mucosa were available as fresh frozen or paraffin embedded material. EBNA-I was detected immunocytochemically using a rat monoclonal antibody (IH4-I) following microwave irradiation. Lytic EBV infection was confirmed by the identification of the BZLF-I protein.

RESULTS:

16 of the 22 cases displayed focal replicative EBV meeting the criteria for OHL, and in 13 of these, EBNA-I expression was restricted to the nuclei of epithelial cells in the upper layers of the epithelium. EBNA-I expression was absent from the basal cells in all cases and in the nine BZLF-I negative mucosal biopsies.

CONCLUSION:

These findings suggest that lytic EBV infection in OHL is not the result of activation of a latent infection of basal cells and suggests a role for EBNA-I, not only in latent EBV infection, but also in virus replication.

• Authors: A T Cruchley, P G Murray, G Niedobitek, G M Reynolds, D M Williams, L S Young
• Journal: Oral diseases (Oral Dis) Vol. 3 Suppl 1 Pg. S177-9 (May 1997) ISSN: 1354-523X [Print] Denmark
• PMID: 9456684 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens

Topics

• AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections (immunology, virology)
• Animals
• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Epithelial Cells (immunology, virology)
• Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Gene Expression
• Herpesviridae Infections (immunology, virology)
• Herpesvirus 4, Human (genetics, immunology)
• Humans
• Leukoplakia, Hairy (immunology, virology)
• Mouth Mucosa (immunology, pathology, virology)
• Rats
• Virus Latency
• Virus Replication (physiology)