STAT6 signaling pathway activated by the cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 induces expression of the Epstein-Barr virus-encoded protein LMP-1 in absence of EBNA-2: implications for the type II EBV latent gene expression in Hodgkin lymphoma

Blood. 2011 Jan 6;117(1):165-74. doi: 10.1182/blood-2010-01-265272. Epub 2010 Sep 27.

Abstract

In line with the B-lymphotropic nature of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the virus is present in several types of B-cell lymphomas. EBV expresses a different set of latent genes in the associated tumors, such as EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) and latent membrane proteins (LMPs; type II latency) in classical Hodgkin lymphomas (HLs). We previously reported that exposure of in vitro EBV-converted, HL-derived cell line KMH2-EBV to CD40-ligand and interleukin-4 (IL-4) induced the expression of LMP-1. Here, we show that exposure to IL-4 or IL-13 alone induced LMP-1 in the absence of EBNA-2. Induction of LMP-1 by IL-4 and IL-13 was mediated by the signal transducer signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) and a newly defined high-affinity STAT6-binding site in the LMP-1 promoter. IL-4 induced LMP-1 also in Burkitt lymphoma-derived lines and in tonsillar B cells infected with the EBNA-2-deficient EBV strain P3HR-1. Furthermore, coculture of EBV-carrying Burkitt lymphoma cells with activated CD4(+) T cells resulted in the induction of LMP-1 in the absence of EBNA-2. Because Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg cells are known to secrete IL-13, to have constitutively activated STAT6, and to be closely surrounded by CD4(+) T cells, these mechanisms may be involved in the expression of LMP-1 in EBV-positive chronic HLs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Binding Sites
  • Blotting, Western
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / genetics
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD40 Ligand / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / metabolism*
  • Hodgkin Disease / genetics
  • Hodgkin Disease / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-13 / pharmacology*
  • Interleukin-4 / pharmacology*
  • Palatine Tonsil / cytology
  • Palatine Tonsil / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / metabolism*
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • EBNA-2 protein, Human herpesvirus 4
  • EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens
  • Interleukin-13
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor
  • STAT6 protein, human
  • Viral Matrix Proteins
  • Viral Proteins
  • CD40 Ligand
  • Interleukin-4
  • EBV-encoded nuclear antigen 1