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Epstein Barr Virus

All articles tagged with #epstein barr virus

science24 days ago•5 min saved

Antibody Breakthrough Blocks Epstein-Barr Virus in Mice, Could Aid Transplant Patients

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects about 95% of adults and can persist for life, with links to cancers and other complications. A team from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and the University of Washington developed human-like antibodies targeting EBV surface proteins gp350 and gp42, isolating 10 candidates. In mice with humanized immune systems, one antibody provided protection against EBV, demonstrating a new approach to prevent infection and reactivation. The work could help immunosuppressed transplant patients by reducing EBV-related complications (PTLD), but human safety testing and clinical trials are still needed. Published in Cell Reports Medicine (2026).

via ScienceAlert|

#antibodies #epstein-barr-virus #gp350

health-and-medicine1 month ago•7 min saved

Antibody therapy blocks Epstein-Barr virus, paving way for transplant-preventive treatment

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center developed human-like monoclonal antibodies in a mouse model that block EBV from attaching to and entering B cells, with one gp42-targeting antibody fully preventing infection in humanized mice; the approach could become a preventive therapy to reduce EBV-related disease, including PTLD, in transplant patients, given that EBV infects about 95% of people worldwide. Next steps include safety testing and clinical trials.

via ScienceDaily|

#epstein-barr-virus #gp350 #gp42

science1 month ago•11 min saved

Biobank DNA study links latent EBV to Hodgkin’s lymphoma risk

A DNA-virome analysis of blood and saliva from biobanks shows Epstein–Barr virus DNA abundance varies with age, sex, and dozens of genetic variants, and genetic analyses indicate high latent EBV is a causal risk factor for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

via Nature|

#biobanks #dna-virome #epstein-barr-virus

science3 months ago•8 min saved

Antibody Strategy Targets Epstein-Barr Virus to Shield Transplant Patients

Fred Hutch researchers produced fully human monoclonal antibodies against EBV by targeting its gp350 and gp42 proteins. In humanized mice, one antibody completely prevented EBV infection and another offered partial protection, outlining a pathway to prevent EBV reactivation and PTLD in transplant patients. The team aims to advance safety testing in healthy volunteers followed by trials in immunocompromised individuals, with IP protection filed for the antibodies.

via SciTechDaily|

#epstein-barr-virus #gp350 #gp42

science3 months ago•26 min saved

Human genetics shape persistent Epstein-Barr virus control and autoimmune risk

A large-scale study using UK Biobank and All of Us genome data detects EBV reads in a subset of individuals, linking higher EBV load to HIV, immunosuppression, and smoking; GWAS identifies major associations in MHC/HLA and additional loci including ERAP2, with EBV load polygenic burden tied to multiple sclerosis (MHC class I) and rheumatoid arthritis (MHC class II) and overlaps with inflammatory diseases like IBD, hypothyroidism, and type 1 diabetes; proposes host-genome–derived markers of EBV persistence to guide future research and therapy.

via Nature|

#epstein-barr-virus #erap2 #genome-wide-association-study

health3 months ago•85 min saved

Genetic clues link persistent Epstein-Barr virus to MS and cancer risk

A Nature-backed study of biobank DNA data identifies 22 human genes, many in the immune-related HLA region, that correlate with higher EBV DNA levels and chronic disease risk (MS, certain cancers, and related conditions), suggesting genetics may influence why EBV persists and becomes harmful in some people.

via Live Science|

#cancer #ebv #epstein-barr-virus

genomics3 months ago•11 min saved

Biobank DNA leftovers unlock secrets of Epstein–Barr virus

Researchers show that non-human DNA discarded during whole-genome sequencing can be repurposed to detect and quantify Epstein–Barr virus DNA in human cells, using a method described by Nyeo et al. in Nature. This population-scale approach lets biobanks reveal persistent EBV DNA and its links to complex diseases, turning sequencing byproducts into a new source of epidemiological insight.

via Nature|

#biobanks #epstein-barr-virus #genomics

health6 months ago•3 min saved

Scientists Link Epstein-Barr Virus to Lupus Development

Groundbreaking research suggests that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), common in childhood, may be the trigger for lupus by causing immune cells to attack the body's tissues, potentially leading to new treatments and vaccine development.

via The Guardian|

#autoimmune-disease #b-cells #epstein-barr-virus

health1 year ago•3 min saved

"EBV Reactivation Linked to MS Activity and Potential Treatments"

A study published in Nature Microbiology found that the dormant Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivates during multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses, triggering inflammatory activity in immune cells. Blocking EBV activation with antiviral compounds like tenofovir alenfenamide (TAF) can reduce this inflammation, suggesting a potential new treatment strategy for MS. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings in human models.

via Multiple Sclerosis News Today|

#antiviral-treatment #epstein-barr-virus #health

health2 years ago•4 min saved

"New Blood Test Offers Hope for Solving Multiple Sclerosis Mystery"

Researchers have developed a new blood test that measures the immune response to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), potentially advancing understanding and treatment of the disease. The test revealed a stronger immune response to EBV in MS patients compared to those with other conditions, supporting the theory that EBV plays a significant role in MS. This development could lead to better treatments, including antiviral drugs, by targeting the virus more precisely without broadly suppressing the immune system.

via ScienceAlert|

#antiviral-treatment #blood-test #epstein-barr-virus

health2 years ago•0 min saved

"The Widespread Virus: Uncovering its Connection to Cancer and MS"

The Epstein-Barr virus, discovered 60 years ago, is the most common viral infection in humans and is linked to 1% of cancers and autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. Lawrence Young, a professor of molecular oncology, discusses the virus's implications and how understanding it could aid in preventing and treating various illnesses.

via The Guardian|

#cancer #epstein-barr-virus #health

obituaries2 years ago•1 min saved

"Unsung Hero: Yvonne Barr's Role in Uncovering a Cancer-Causing Virus"

Yvonne Barr, a virologist, played a crucial role in the discovery of the cancer-causing Epstein-Barr virus while working with pathologist Anthony Epstein in 1963. Her expertise in growing cell cultures in a controlled environment was instrumental in proving Epstein's hypothesis that the virus was responsible for large facial tumors in Ugandan children. Barr's contributions to virology and her role in this groundbreaking discovery have been overlooked for many years.

via The New York Times|

#anthony-epstein #cancer-causing-virus #epstein-barr-virus

health-and-medicine2 years ago•2 min saved

"Discovery of Weak Spots in Virus Infecting 95% of Population"

The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which infects around 95% of the human population and is associated with diseases like mononucleosis and certain cancers, has been found to have vulnerabilities. New research has identified weak spots on the virus's protein, gp42, and developed antibodies that could prevent infection in mice. If these findings translate to humans, it could lead to targeted treatments and potential vaccines for EBV, offering hope for preventing severe diseases caused by the virus.

via IFLScience|

#antibody-treatment #epstein-barr-virus #health-and-medicine

health2 years ago•3 min saved

"Identifying Vulnerabilities: NIH Scientists Uncover Weaknesses in Epstein-Barr Virus"

Scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have identified potential targets for designing treatments and vaccines for the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common virus that can lead to various cancers and other health issues. Their research focused on a viral protein called gp42, and they discovered two monoclonal antibodies that interact with distinct sites on gp42, showing promise in preventing EBV infection and related diseases in mice. The findings could lead to the development of antibody-based treatments and vaccines for EBV, benefiting individuals at risk of severe or fatal EBV disease.

via National Institutes of Health (NIH) (.gov)|

#epstein-barr-virus #health #infectious-diseases

obituary2 years ago•5 min saved

"Pathologist Anthony Epstein, Discoverer of Epstein-Barr Virus, Passes Away at 102"

Anthony Epstein, the British pathologist who co-discovered the Epstein-Barr virus, has passed away at the age of 102. His groundbreaking work in the 1960s led to extensive research into the virus's links to cancers and other chronic ailments, including Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple sclerosis, and lupus. Despite the virus's prevalence, no vaccine has been developed, but ongoing research aims to understand its role in various diseases. Dr. Epstein's accidental discovery of the virus's presence in human tumors opened new avenues in cancer research, and his legacy continues to impact the field.

via The Washington Post|

#anthony-epstein #cancer-research #epstein-barr-virus