Objective: To detect bcl-2 gene expression in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected human gastric epithelial cell line GES-1 for understanding the role of bcl-2 gene in the carcinogenesis of EBV-associated gastric carcinoma.
Methods: Akata 1061 cells producing recombined EBV carrying neomycin resistance gene (NEOr) was used to mediate the EBV infection of human gastric epithelial cell line GES-1 via close contact, with the empty plasmid pcDNA3-transfected GES-1 cells via lipofectamine method as a control. The EBV-infected and pcDNA3-transfected cells were cloned by limited dilution and the positive clones selected with G418. Immunocytochemical staining was performed to detect the expressions of EBNA1 and Bcl-2 protein.
Results: Bcl-2 protein expression was detected in EBV-infected cells but not in the control cells.
Conclusion: EBV infection can increase Bcl-2 expression in gastric epithelial cells, and such cell transformation effect of EBV is related to the overexpression of bcl-2 gene.