Cyclin D1 overexpression supports stable EBV infection in nasopharyngeal epithelial cells

Chi Man Tsang, Yim Ling Yip, Kwok Wai Lo, Wen Deng, Ka Fai To, Pok Man Hau, Victoria Ming Yi Lau, Kenzo Takada, Vivian Wai Yan Lui, Maria Li Lung, Honglin Chen, Musheng Zeng, Jaap Michiel Middeldorp, Annie Lai Man Cheung, Sai Wah Tsao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

114 Scopus citations

Abstract

Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs) are commonly present with latent EBV infection. However, events regulating EBV infection at early stages of the disease and the role of EBV in disease pathogenesis are largely undefined. Genetic alterations leading to activation of cyclin D1 signaling in premalignant nasopharyngeal epithelial (NPE) cells have been postulated to predispose cells to EBV infection. We previously reported that loss of p16, a negative regulator of cyclin D1 signaling, is a frequent feature of NPC tumors. Here, we report that early premalignant lesions of nasopharyngeal epithelium overexpress cyclin D1. Furthermore, overexpression of cyclin D1 is closely associated with EBV infection. Therefore we investigated the potential role of cyclinD1 overexpression in dysplastic NPE cells in vitro. In human telomerase reverse transcriptase-immortalized NPE cells, overexpression of cyclin D1 or a p16-resistant form of CDK4 (CDK4R24C) suppressed differentiation. This suppression may have implications for the close association of EBV infection with undifferentiated NPC. In these in vitro models, we found that cellular growth arrest and senescence occurred in EBV-infected cell populations immediately after infection. Nevertheless, overexpression of cyclin D1 or a p16-resistant form of CDK4 or knockdown of p16 in the human telomerase reverse transcriptase-immortalized NPE cell lines could counteract the EBV-induced growth arrest and senescence. We conclude that dysregulated expression of cyclin D1 in NPE cellsmay contribute to NPC pathogenesis by enabling persistent infection of EBV.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)E3473-E3482
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume109
Issue number50
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 11 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Epstein-Barr virus
  • Viral persistence
  • episome

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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