An investigation shows that the inhibition of a specific metabolic pathway can decrease the latent infection of the Epstein-Barr virus

Epstein-Barr virus (Veb) It can causeR A variety of diseases, including a variety of cancers. Now, emerging data show that the inhibition of a specific metabolic pathway in infected cells can decrease latent infection And, therefore, the risk of later disease, as researchers at the University of Basel (Switzerland) and the Basel University Hospital in the magazine ‘report.Science‘.

In depth

Most people are Veb bearers: 90% of the adult population is infected with the virus and generally has no resulting symptoms or diseases. About 50% is infected before the age of five, but many people do not contract it until adolescence. Acute virus infection can cause glandular fever, also known as “kiss disease“, and can stop fighting people infected for several months. In addition to their carcinogenic properties, also It is suspected that the pathogen is involved in the development of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

So far, none Approved medication or vaccine can specifically counteract EBV inside the body. Now, a research group at the University of Basel and the Basel University Hospital has reported a promising starting point to stop EBV.

More details

Researchers led by Professor Christoph HESS have deciphered how immune cells infected with the VEB are reprogrammed, so -called B cells. This process, known as “transformation“, It is necessary for the infection to chronify and cause subsequent diseases such as cancer. Specifically, the equipment discovered that the virus causes the infected cell to increase the production of an enzyme known as IDO1. Ultimately, this leads to a greater production of energy by the power plants of infected cells: mitochondria. In turn, This additional energy is necessary for the increase in metabolism and the rapid proliferation of reprogrammed B cells in this way by the VEB.

Clinically, the researchers focused on a group of patients who had developed blood cancer triggered by EBV after an organ transplant. To prevent a transplanted organ being rejected, it is necessary to weaken the immune system through medicines. This, in turn, It facilitates that the VEB will win and cause blood cancer, known as post -transplant lymphoma.

In the article, which is now published, Researchers were able to demonstrate that the VEB positively regulates the enzyme gone1 months before the post -transplant lymphoma is diagnosed. This finding can help develop disease biomarkers.

To take into account

“Previously, IDO1 inhibitors developed in the hope that they could help treat the established cancer, What unfortunately turned out not to be the case. That is, there are already clinically proven inhibitors against this enzyme“He explains Christoph HESS. Consequently, this kind of drugs could now receive a second chance in applications aimed at curbing Veb infection and, therefore, addressing the diseases associated with the VEB in fact, in experiments with mice, IDO inhibition1 with these drugs reduced the transformation of B cells and, therefore, the viral load and lymphoma development.

“In transplanted patients, It is a usual practice to use medications against several viruses. So far there is nothing specific to prevent or treat diseases associated with Epstein-Barr virus“HESS concludes.