Epstein-Barr Virus History and Pathogenesis

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the first identified human oncogenic virus that can establish asymptomatic life-long persistence. It is associated with a large spectrum of diseases, including benign diseases, a number of lymphoid malignancies, and epithelial cancers. EBV can also transform quiescent B lymphocytes into lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) in vitro. Although EBV molecular biology and EBV-related diseases have been continuously investigated for nearly 60 years, the mechanism of viral-mediated transformation, as well as the precise role of EBV in promoting these diseases, remain a major challenge yet to be completely explored. This review will highlight the history of EBV and current advances in EBV-associated diseases, focusing on how this virus provides a paradigm for exploiting the many insights identified through interplay between EBV and its host during oncogenesis, and other related non-malignant disorders.

Automated summary

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the first oncogenic virus identified in humans that can establish lifelong asymptomatic persistence. It is associated with a wide range of diseases, including both benign and malignant conditions. Although there have been continuous studies on the molecular biology and diseases related to EBV for nearly 60 years, the mechanism of viral-mediated transformation and the precise role of EBV in these diseases are still major challenges that require further exploration.