Abstract
To investigate a possible correlation between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection statuses including its latent gene expression and expression of allergy-related genes in human tonsil-derived cells. In the tonsil derived cells from the patients undergoing routine tonsillectomies for palatine tonsil hypertrophy or tonsillar focal infection, the presence of EBV DNA and mRNA expressions of latent membrane protein (LMP)-1, Cε chain, and activation induced cytidine deaminase (AID) were detected by PCR and RT-PCR analysis, respectively. Of all the twelve patients, PCR products amplified from EBV DNA BamHI W fragment were detected in the tonsils from the 10 patients (83.3%). LMP1 mRNA expressions were confirmed in the 6 patients (50%). Both LMP1 mRNA expressions and EBV DNA were detected in the 5 patients. EBV DNA, but not LMP1 mRNA expression, was detected in the 5 patients. LMP1 mRNA expression, but not EBV DNA, was detected in one patient. In another patient, neither EBV DNA nor LMP1 mRNA expression was confirmed. Cε mRNA expressions were confirmed in all the 12 patients along with AID mRNA expressions. The Fishers exact probability test revealed a statistically significant correlation between LMP1 and Cε gene expressions, indicating that Cε mRNA expression level is significantly higher in the LMP1 positive samples than in the negative samples. Thus, EVB infection is a notable factor capable of exacerbating allergic inflammation. [J Physiol Sci. 2007;57 Suppl:S117]
