High frequency of latent membrane protein-1 30-bp deletion variant with specific single mutations in Epstein-Barr virus-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Moroccan patients

Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) is an Epstein-Barr virus-encoded oncoprotein expressed in approximately 50-70% of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Previous studies have shown that NPC-derived LMP-1 variants carrying 30 bp deletion and specific mutations in the 3'C-terminal region confer high oncogenic potential and a weak immunogenicity. Although numerous polymorphism studies of LMP-1 have been carried out so far in the Asian population with NPC, very little is known in this regard on NPC patients from Northern Africa where there is a significantly high occurrence of this tumor. In our study, we examined the frequency of different LMP-1 sequence variants derived from Moroccan NPC patients. As compared to healthy donors, NPC patients showed a high prevalence of the 30bp deletion variant of LMP-1 (i.e. 84% vs. 36%; p<0.0005). Moreover, the del-LMP-1 variant derived from NPC tumors shared identical amino acid substitutions at positions 322, 334, 338, 352 and 366 with the Mediterranean (Med) variant, whereas those derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) had similar mutation pattern as China1 variant. Additional mutations within the 342-352 regions (identified in LMP-1 variants without deletion derived from NPC tumors) were not found in healthy donors' PBMC. Our results support the assumption that the distribution of LMP-1 variants in NPC tumors co-segregate with geographic regions. Indeed, Med variant is found more frequently in tumors from NPC Moroccan patients, whereas China1 variant is more prevalent in tumors from NPC patients in endemic regions for NPC.     

30-bp DELETION IN LATENT MEMBRANE PROTEIN 1 （LMP-1）ONCOGENE IN LYMPHOEPITHELIAL CARCINOMA OF SALIVARY GLANDS

Objective:To investigate the 30 bp deletion in LMP-1 in lymphoepithelial carcinoma of salivary glands,and to clarify the deletion rate. Methods: 46 cases of LEC were subjected to PCR examination for the 3‘terminal region of LMP-1 gene, in order to observe the 30 bp deletion. To reduce the influence of unsuccessful DNA extraction from paraffin-embedded tissue sections,a β-actin PCR was performed at the same time.Additionally, DNA sequencing was performed on 1 case without deletion and 1 case with deletion. Results: 4 of 46 specimens were proved to contain no suitable DNA sample by β-actin gene amplification. In the remaining 42 cases, LMP-1 DNA was detected in 35/42 (83.3%)LEC cases. Two kinds of PCR products were found in these 35 cases after further DNA sequencing. 31 cases(88.6%) carried 316 bp product and 4 cases (11.4%)carried 286 bp product. Conclusion: Some LECs of salivary glands carry del-LMP-1. In our study, the deletion rate was 11.4% (4/35).     

Prevalence of mutations and 30-bp deletion in the C-terminal region of Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein-1 oncogene in reactive lymphoid tissue and non-nasopharyngeal EBV-associated carcinomas in Hong Kong Chinese

A specific variant of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with a 30-bp deletion in the C-terminal region of the LMP1 gene has been found in some EBV-associated malignancies. To better understand the tumorigenic role of this LMP1 variant, we used PCR and sequencing to examine the LMP1 gene in 38 EBV-associated carcinomas (EBV-CAs) occurring in various organs (6 lung, 10 salivary gland, 5 sino-nasal, 16 gastric and 1 metastatic NPC), 55 reactive lymphoid tissues from tonsils (TON) and 67 EBV-negative tumours in various organs (22 adenolymphoma of salivary gland, 14 gastric and 31 colonic adenocarcinomas), where the virus was demonstrated in lymphocytes. The TON showed prevalence of both deleted and non-deleted variants of LMP1, with dual infection being common. Significantly more of the LMP1 variant was deleted in EBV-CA and in EBV-negative tumours. Sequencing showed that the deleted and non-deleted variants have different sets of amino acid mutation. Mutations in codon 344 and 355 in the non-deleted variant disrupted the 9 nucleotide repeat flanking the deletion and thus may have conferred resistance to the deletion. The prevalence of both variants in the TON, with enrichment for the deleted variant in various organs, argues for the existence of an immune selection pressure in our population. The deleted variant, which may have a higher tumorigenic potential, may contribute to the high incidence of NPC, as well as the occurrence of EBV-CA in organs outside the nasopharynx in our locality. Int. J. Cancer 72:225–230, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Epstein-Barr virus-encoded latent membrane protein 1 co-expresses with epidermal growth factor receptor in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) is the only Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded oncogenic protein that has been detected in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a cancer that is closely associated with EBV. Previous in-vitro studies have demonstrated that LMP-1 can upregulate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in epithelial cells. It was not established whether this cellular effect exists in NPC. To assess the association between LMP-1 and EGFR in NPC tissues, 60 NPC specimens were examined by immunohistochemistry using anti-LMP-1 antibody (CS 1-4) and anti-EGFR antibodies (EGFR 1, EGFR 1005). The results revealed that 41 (68.3%) specimens were immunopositive for LMP-1 and 44 (73.3%) specimens over-expressed EGFR. Morphologically, the expressions of LMP-1 and EGFR were homogeneously distributed in the tumor nests. In addition, the correlation between LMP-1 and EGFR was statistically significant (P<0.001, chi2 test, d.f. = 1). To elucidate further the correlation between LMP-1 and EGFR in vivo and in situ, an indirect dual immunofluorescence assay was conducted, using secondary antibodies conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) or indocarbocyanine (Cy3). The results disclosed an intimate co-expression of LMP-1 and EGFR. In summary, the data indicate that over-expression of EGFR is a common phenomenon in NPC, and that EGFR is co-expressed with LMP-1 in NPC. Thus, EBV may play a role in the tumorigenesis of NPC through the effects of LMP-1 and EGFR.     

Association of latent membrane protein 1 and matrix metalloproteinase 9 with metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a highly metastatic carcinoma whose consistent association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been established. Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), an EBV membrane protein expressed in latent infection, is considered to be the EBV oncoprotein. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), one of the MMP families, degrades Type IV collagen, a major component of extracellular matrix and is believed to be crucial for cancer invasion and metastasis. Although MMP9 is reported to be expressed in a variety of cancers, no reports concerning NPC have been published to date to the authors' knowledge. Recently, the authors have shown that LMP1 induces MMP9 in vitro cell line, which suggests the possibility of a mechanism in which LMP1 of EBV contributes to the metastasis and tumorigenesis of NPC by the induction of MMP9. METHODS: The expressions of LMP1 and MMP9 were immunohistochemically examined in 38 NPC sections, and the relation of these proteins were statistically analyzed. The authors also analyzed the associations of these proteins with clinical features. RESULTS: Both LMP1 and MMP9 proteins were predominantly immunolocalized in cancer nests. The expression of MMP9 showed a significant positive correlation with the expression of LMP1 (r = 0.75; P < 0.0001). Also, the expression of MMP9 correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0. 0004). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the induction of MMP9 by LMP1 contributes to the metastatic potential of NPC.     

Presence of the latent membrane protein 1 gene in nasopharyngeal swabs from patients with mucosal recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most common head and neck malignancy in southeastern China and Taiwan. Early detection of the local disease followed by timely and appropriate treatment is essential to increasing cure and survival rates. Detection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genomic DNA, such as the latent membrane protein 1 gene (LMP-1), in patients postirradiation during follow-up may indicate mucosal recurrence. METHODS: Seventy-one patients with NPC underwent serial nasopharyngeal swabs for LMP-1 polymerase chain reaction assay before, during, and after irradiation. All of patients achieved a complete disease remission of the LMP-1 gene after irradiation that lasted for at least 6 months. RESULTS: The median LMP-1 disease remission time after the beginning of irradiation was 4.3 weeks. Patients with early LMP-1 disease remission ( 4 weeks) had 3-year local control rates of 93.5% and 76.9%, respectively (P = 0.0529). The LMP-1 gene was detected again (reexpression of LMP-1 [re-LMP-1]) in 10 patients after irradiation with at least 6 months of follow-up. Nine of 10 patients (90%) in the re-LMP-1 positive group and 2 of 61 patients (3.3%) in the re-LMP-1 negative group developed local recurrence. Mucosal recurrence developed in nine patients, and all displayed re-LMP-1. By detecting re-LMP-1 using nasopharyngeal swabs, mucosal recurrence was diagnosed with a sensitivity of 100% (9 of 9 patients) and a specificity of 98.4% (61 of 62 patients). The 3-year overall survival rate, the disease free survival rate for the entire group, and the estimated local mucosal control rates in the re-LMP-1 positive and re-LMP-1 negative groups were 86.5%, 76.5%, 19.4%, and 96.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of EBV LMP-1 in nasopharyngeal swab specimens from patients with irradiated/treated NPC can provide a highly sensitive and specific method of forecasting mucosal recurrence. This investigation confirmed the reliability and feasibility of nasopharyngeal swabs in screening for mucosal recurrences in patients with NPC.     

Epstein-Barr Virus latent membrane protein 1 induces Snail and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Background:

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is distinctive among head-and-neck cancers in its undifferentiated histopathology and highly metastatic character. We have recently investigated the involvement of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in NPC. In a previous study, we found a close association of expression of LMP1, the principal EBV oncoprotein, with expression of Twist and induction of EMT.

Methods:

We analysed expression of Snail in 41 NPC tissues by immunohistochemistry. The role of Twist as well as Snail in EMT of NPC was investigated by using NP69SV40T human nasopharyngeal cells.

Results:

In NPC tissues, overexpression of Snail is associated with expression of LMP1 in carcinomatous cells. In addition, expression of Snail positively correlated with metastasis and independently correlated inversely with expression of E-cadherin. Expression of Twist had no association with expression of E-cadherin. Further, in a human nasopharyngeal cell line, LMP1 induces EMT and its associated cellular motility and invasiveness. Expression of Snail is induced by LMP1 in these cells, and small hairpin RNA (shRNA) to Snail reversed the cellular changes. By contrast, Twist did not produce EMT in these nasopharyngeal cells.

Conclusions:

This study strengthens the association of EMT with the metastatic behaviour of NPC. These results suggest that induction of Snail by the EBV oncoprotein LMP1 has a pivotal role in EMT in NPC.     

MMP-9、LMP-1蛋白在鼻咽癌中的表达及其与远处转移的相关性研究

目的：研究基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）、潜伏膜蛋白-1（LMP-1）在鼻咽癌中的表达及其对鼻咽癌远处转移的影响。方法：收集83例鼻咽癌患者的临床资料及鼻咽部瘤体活检组织蜡块。采用免疫组化s—P法检测标本中MMP-9、LMP-1的表达。结果：MMP-9阳性表达率为65％（54／83）,其表达与颈淋巴结转移、远处转移关系密切（P〈0．05）。LMP-1阳性表达率为57％（47／83）,其表达与颈淋巴结转移、远处转移关系密切（P〈0．05）;且与MMP-9表达呈显著正相关（rJ=0．327,P〈0．05）。鼻咽癌远处转移的危险因素是临床分期（Ⅲ、Ⅳ期）、颈淋巴结N,阳性、MMP-9阳性表达、LMP-1阳性表达（P〈0．05）。MMP-9、LMP-1均为阳性表达者远处转移风险更高（P〈0．05）。结论：MMP-9、LMP-1阳性表达与远处转移明显相关,可作为鼻咽癌远处转移的预测指标。     

Screening nasopharyngeal carcinoma by detection of the latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) gene with nasopharyngeal swabs

BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common head and neck cancer in Taiwan. The goals of the current study were to investigate whether a nasopharyngeal swab technique could provide enough DNA for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-derived latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) gene and to determine the feasibility and reliability of diagnosing NPC by detection of LMP-1 in the nasopharynx. METHODS: 320 adults underwent nasopharyngoscopy and nasopharyngeal swab to obtain cells for the LMP-1 PCR assay; some patients also underwent nasopharyngeal biopsy. RESULTS: An amount of DNA that was sufficient for PCR was extracted from 96.3% of the swab samples. By detecting LMP-1 in nasopharyngeal swabs, NPC was diagnosed with a false positive rate of 12.7% (7 of 55 patients), a false negative rate of 1.6% (4 of 253 patients), sensitivity of 87.3% (48 of 55 patients), specificity of 98.4% (249 of 253 patients), a positive predictive value of 92.3% (48 of 52 patients), and a negative predictive value of 97.3% (249/256 patients). NPC was diagnosed by nasopharyngoscopy with a false positive rate of 38% (30 of 79 patients), a false negative rate of 0.4% (1 of 241 patients), sensitivity of 62% (49 of 79 patients), specificity of 99.6% (240 of 241 patients), a positive predictive value of 98% (49 of 50 patients), and a negative predictive value of 88.9% (240 of 270 patients). Only 7 (0.2%) of 256 patients with a diagnosis other than NPC had LMP-1 detected in the nasopharyngeal space. CONCLUSIONS: Detecting EBV genomic LMP-1 by nasopharyngeal swab diagnosed NPC with 87.3% sensitivity and 98.4% specificity. EBV genomic DNA usually is not detected by PCR-based methods in the nasopharyngeal space. Its incidence is estimated to be as low as 0.2% among the general population. The nasopharyngeal swab coupled with PCR-based EBV LMP-1 detection could serve as part of a screening program for high-risk populations.     

Epstein–Barr virus strain variation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma from the endemic and non-endemic regions of China

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) occurs with a striking geographic incidence and is endemic in parts of southern China, where it is the major cause of cancer death. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is detected in all cells of the majority of NPC cases regardless of geographic origin. A small subset of EBV genes is expressed in NPC, including the latent membrane protein (LMP-1). LMP-1 is essential for transformation of B lymphocytes and is considered to be the EBV oncogene. This analysis of the DNA sequence variation within the LMP-1 gene reveals a consensus sequence for a strain, denoted China1, which predominates in East Asia where NPC is endemic. The China1 strain is characterized by nucleotide changes at 13 loci in the amino terminal portion of the LMP-1 gene when compared with the B95-8 prototype, including a point mutation resulting in the loss of an Xho1 restriction site. This strain was present in 9 of 15 NPC biopsy specimens from the endemic region and in 7 of 13 from northern China, where NPC is non-endemic. A second strain, China2, was detected in 4 of 15 endemic isolates and in 2 of 13 non-endemic isolates; this strain was characterized by a cluster of 5 nucleotide changes in the amino terminal portion of LMP-1 in addition to those seen in China1. It was also marked by distinct changes in the carboxy terminal region of LMP-1 including the retention of amino acids 343–352. All China1 isolates were EBV type 1, whereas the China2 isolates did not correlate with EBV type. Phylogenetic relationships between these 2 strains were determined, as were signature amino acid alterations that discriminate between them. Int. J. Cancer 76:207–215, 1998.© 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Cloning and characterization of the latent membrane protein (LMP) of a specific Epstein-Barr virus variant derived from the nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the Taiwanese population.

A DNA fragment containing Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) terminal fragment sequence was obtained from a genomic library of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). One of the clones (clone 1510) contained the gene encoding latent membrane protein (LMP). Sequence analysis revealed that this gene had 95% homology with the LMP sequence of the B95-8 strain. Among the sequence variations, there was a change from G to T at nucleotide position 169,426, resulting in the loss of an XhoI site in exon 1 of the LMP gene. A pair of primers bracketing the XhoI site were designed to synthesize the EBV DNA fragment from nucleotides 169,081-169,577 by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The PCR products were then subject to XhoI digestion and to DNA sequencing analysis. This restriction enzyme site polymorphism along with the sequence variations were also observed in 50 biopsy tissues as well as in the throat washings of 6 out of 20 healthy individuals that we examined, indicating that the EBV strain predominantly existing in these biopsy tissues was different from strains of B95-8, Jijoye or nude mouse passaged cells (C15) with an African origin, but closely resembled other nude mouse passaged CAO cells which were originally derived from China. Balb/c 3T3 cells carrying this NPC-LMP gene showed a transformed cell morphology and were tumorigenic in nude mice. The relationship between this unique type of EBV and NPC has yet to be established.     

EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白1介导鼻咽癌细胞中转录因子Ets-1表达的实验研究

目的 探讨鼻咽癌(NPC)细胞中EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白1(EMP1)是否可介导转录因子Ets-1的表达。方法 采用受四环素(Dox)调控的、LMP1表达的NPC细胞系(pTet-on-LMP1 HNE2),用Dox诱导LMP1表达,并检测Ets-1的表达。采用逆转录PCR(RT-PCR)方法检测Ets-1 RNA水平的变化;应用Western blot方法检测Ets-1蛋白质表达情况;应用免疫共沉淀和Western blot方法检测Ets-1磷酸化水平;应用EMSA方法检测Ets-1的DNA结合活性。结果 在不同诱导时间、不同浓度Dox诱导的pTet-on-LMP1 HNE2细胞中,LMPl表达与Ets-1 RNA表达、蛋白质表达、苏氨酸磷酸化水平及DNA结合活性在一定范围内呈正相关。结论 IMP1可介导NPC细胞中Ets-1的转录活化和表达,可能是LMP1致瘤的新机制。     

Expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: possible upregulation by Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1

EBV infection is associated with virtually all cases of undifferentiated NPC, and the EBV-encoded LMP1 is expressed in a proportion of cases. LMP1 has transforming functions similar to members of the TNF receptor family and activates intracellular signaling cascades through interaction with TRAFs. In B cells, expression of TRAF1 is in turn upregulated by LMP1. LMP1 signaling in epithelial cells may be affected by the presence or absence of TRAF1. By immunohistochemistry, we detected TRAF1 expression in 17 of 42 (40%) EBV+ undifferentiated NPCs. All 7 LMP1+ NPC biopsies were also TRAF1+. Using an RNAse protection assay, high-level TRAF1 expression was detected in an LMP1-expressing NPC-derived cell line (C15) and expression was weaker in 2 LMP1- cell lines (C17, C19). Finally, LMP1 upregulated TRAF1 expression in an EBV- keratinocyte cell line. Our results demonstrate that TRAF1 is expressed in NPC tumor cells in vivo and suggest that TRAF1 expression may be upregulated by LMP1 in NPC. An antiapoptotic function has been proposed for TRAF1, and this may be relevant for the pathogenesis of NPC.     

EB病毒LMP1对人鼻咽癌细胞转移能力的影响

背景与目的:EB病毒编码的潜伏膜蛋白1(latent membrane protein 1,LMP1)在鼻咽癌的浸润和转移过程中起重要的作用。本实验目的在于研究EB病毒LMP1对人鼻咽癌细胞转移能力的影响和探讨其中的相关机制。方法:应用免疫细胞化学RT-PCR法和Western blot检测LMP1、E-cadherin和intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)在人高分化鼻咽癌细胞系CNE1和转染了LMP1基因的CNE1-GL细胞中的表达。应用细胞-细胞粘附实验、细胞-基质粘附实验、划痕实验和细胞运动实验观察LMP1对鼻咽癌细胞粘附和运动能力的影响。结果:免疫细胞化学结果显示:LMP1在CNE1和CNE1-GL细胞中的阳性率分别为0和(96.60±3.03)%(P<0.01);E-cadherin蛋白的阳性率分别为(37.47±1.50)%和(19.53±1.92)%(P<0.01);ICAM-1蛋白的阳性率分别为(5.27±1.45)%和(93.33±4.23)%(P<0.01)。RT-PCR和Westernblot结果表明,与CNE1细胞相比较,CNE1-GL细胞中E-cadherin的mRNA和蛋白表达明显降低(P<0.01),而ICAM-1的mRNA和蛋白表达则明显升高(P<0.01)。肿瘤细胞同质粘附实验显示,CNE1-GL细胞的同质粘附能力较CNE1细胞弱(P<0.05)。肿瘤细胞-基质粘附实验得出CNE1-GL细胞的异质粘附能力(A值=0.60±0.03)较CNE1细胞(A值=0.46±0.01)强(P<0.01)。肿瘤细胞运动实验显示,穿过PVPF膜的CNE1-GL细胞数多于CNE1细胞(119.3±6.0 vs 46.3±7.0,P<0.05)。结论:LMP1通过抑制E-cadherin表达、促进ICAM-1表达从而抑制肿瘤细胞的同质粘附能力、增强其异质粘附能力和运动能力来参与鼻咽癌的侵袭和转移。     

EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白1对鼻咽癌细胞系CNE1有丝分裂调控机制的影响

EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白(latent membrane protein l,LMPl)是被证实在鼻咽癌中具有癌基因功能的病毒编码基因的表达产物;LMPl参与异常的细胞周期调控,但是否导致有丝分裂检测点调控机制紊乱仍未得到实验证实。本实验观察LMPl对鼻咽癌细胞株CNEl有丝分裂调控的影响,进一步探讨LMPl在鼻咽癌发病机制中的作用。