https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0243-8538
![Sample our Bioscience journals, sign in here to start your access, Latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5925/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Bioscience.jpg"})
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is linked to various human diseases, including both noncancerous conditions like infectious mononucleosis and cancerous diseases such as lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. After the initial infection, EBV establishes a lifelong presence and remains latent in specific cells. This latent infection causes changes in the epigenetic marks known as histone methylation. Many studies have examined the role of histone methylation in different EBV-associated diseases, and understanding how EBV affects histone methylation can help us identify potential targets for epigenetic therapies. This review focuses on the research progress made in understanding histone methylation in well-studied EBV-associated diseases, intending to provide insights into potential strategies based on histone methylation to combat EBV-related ailments.
TWEETABLE ABSTRACT
This review focuses on histone methylation in EBV-associated diseases, offering potential strategies to combat EBV-related ailments. #EBV #histonemethylation #epigenetics #medicalresearch
Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), a DNA virus, is classified as a member of the gammaherpesvirus family, over 90% of adults are chronically infected.
Epigenetics is involved in regulating the EBV life cycle.
Overview of histone modifications
Introduces concepts related to histone modification and histone methylation.
EBV infection
Histone methylation plays an important role in maintaining latent EBV infection.
Histone methylation & EBV-associated tumors
Aberrant histone methylation promotes EBV-associated tumors development by suppressing the expression of the viral genome, silencing antioncogenes, driving the expression of oncogenes, promoting the transcriptional activation of autophagy genes and inhibiting DNA damage repair.
Histone methylation & EBV-associated non-neoplastic diseases
Histone methylation associated with infectious mononucleosis, chronic active EBV infection, EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome and autoimmune diseases.
Prospect of histone methylation modification in the diagnosis & treatment of EBV-associated diseases
Describing recent advances in histone methylation sheds light on its pivotal role in both diagnosing and intervening in EBV-related diseases.
Future perspective
Histone methylation is intricately linked to EBV-related diseases and holds promise as a potential drug target.
Author contributions
G Chen and L Zhang drafted the manuscript. R Wang and Z Xie revised and edited the manuscript. All authors read and made final approval of the manuscript. G Chen and L Zhang contributed equally to this work.
Financial disclosures
This work was supported by the Capital's Funds for Health Improvement and Research (2024-4-1142), Beijing Hospitals Authority Innovation Studio of Young Staff Funding (202328), BCH Young Investigator Program (BCHYIP) and CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (CIFMS) (2019-I2M-5-026). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
Competing interests disclosure
The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
Writing disclosure
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.