Stress-Induced Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation

• Published in: Biomolecules (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 11; no. 9; p. 1380
• Main Authors: Sausen, Daniel G, Bhutta, Maimoona S, Gallo, Elisa S, Dahari, Harel, Borenstein, Ronen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 18.09.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease; Animals; Antigens; Antiviral Agents - pharmacology; Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use; Cancer; Cellular stress response; Chronic fatigue syndrome; EBV; Epstein-Barr virus; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - drug therapy; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - virology; Gene expression; Glycoproteins; Herpesvirus 4, Human - drug effects; Herpesvirus 4, Human - physiology; Humans; Immune system; Immunoproliferative diseases; Infections; Latency; Lymphocytes; Lymphoma; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Proteins; reactivation; Review; RNA polymerase; stress; Stress, Psychological - complications; vaccination; Virus Latency - drug effects; Virus Latency - physiology; Viruses; EBV; stress; reactivation; latency; vaccination
• ISSN: 2218-273X; 2218-273X
• DOI: 10.3390/biom11091380

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is typically found in a latent, asymptomatic state in immunocompetent individuals. Perturbations of the host immune system can stimulate viral reactivation. Furthermore, there are a myriad of EBV-associated illnesses including various cancers, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, and autoimmune conditions. A thorough understanding of this virus, and the interplay between stress and the immune system, is essential to establish effective treatment. This review will provide a summary of the interaction between both psychological and cellular stressors resulting in EBV reactivation. It will examine mechanisms by which EBV establishes and maintains latency and will conclude with a brief overview of treatments targeting EBV.