Analysis of Epstein-Barr virus derived RNA in CAEBV: involvement in onset and potential therapeutic targets

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K23907
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0901:Oncology and related fields
• Research Institution: St. Marianna University School of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Ohashi Ayaka 聖マリアンナ医科大学, 医学研究科, 特任助教 (60844371)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-08-30 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 慢性活動性EBウイルス感染症 / エクソソーム / miR-BARTs / 血管内皮細胞 / RNase1

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It was confirmed that cell lines of Chronic Active EB virus infection (CAEBV) and related diseases secreted exosomes containing the largest amount of miR-BART7-3p, which is an EBV-derived micro RNA. We confirmed the uptake of exosomes containing miR-BARTs in vascular endothelial cells. This indicated that miR-BARTs contained in exosomes might form a pathological condition in surrounding non-infected cells such as vascular endothelial cells. We also confirmed high expression of RNase1 which has RNA degrading action and RNase inhibitor (RI) which inhibits RNase in cell lines such as CAEBV and patient cells. It was speculated that it might play a role in the pathology of CAEBV.

Free Research Field

血液・腫瘍学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

CAEBV等細胞株で高い発現が見られたmiR-BART7-3pはCAEBV患者の感染細胞及び血漿中でも高発現しており、CAEBVの発症及び病態形成に関与することを示唆すると共に、治療標的になり得ると考えられた。本研究成果はCAEBVの発症及び病態の解明に寄与すると共に、miR-BARTs等RNAに着目した全く新しい治療法、バイオマーカーの開発に貢献し得る。今後、miR-BARTsとRNase1のinteractionについてさらなる研究を行い、臨床への還元を目指す。