Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with multiple malignancies including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In nasopharynx cancer, CD8+ T cells specific for EBV Nuclear Antigen-1 (EBNA-1) and Latent Membrane Protein 2 (LMP2) are important components of anti-tumor immunity since both are consistently expressed in NPC. We have previously shown that EBNA-1-specific CD8+ T cell responses were suppressed in NPC patients compared to healthy controls. We now find that CD8+ T cell responses specific for LMP2 are also abnormal in NPC patients, and both EBNA-1- and LMP2-specific responses are suppressed by regulatory T cells (Treg). EBNA-1 and LMP2-specific CD8+ T cell responses, as well as immune control of EBV-infected cells in vitro, could be restored by the depletion of Tregs and by use of a clinically approved drug targeting Tregs. Thus, in vivo modulation of Tregs may be an effective means of enhancing these anti-tumor immune responses in NPC patients.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 107-113 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Virology |
Volume | 441 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 5 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- CD8+ T cells
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
- Ontak
- T regulatory cells
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Virology