Epstein-Barr virus microRNAs in the pathogenesis of human cancers

Cancer Lett. 2021 Feb 28:499:14-23. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.11.019. Epub 2020 Nov 25.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: EBERs; EBV mir-BARTs; EBV mir-BHRF1; Gastric carcinoma; Lymphomas; Nasopharyngeal carcinomas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / immunology
  • Disease Progression
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / pathology*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / virology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / immunology
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / pathogenicity*
  • Host Microbial Interactions / genetics
  • Host Microbial Interactions / immunology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / analysis
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / genetics
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / virology
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasms / virology*
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • RNA, Viral / metabolism*
  • Tumor Escape / genetics
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Viral