Ephrin receptor A2 is a functional entry receptor for Epstein-Barr virus.

ABSTRACT: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an oncogenic virus that infects more than 90% of the world's population ¹ . EBV predominantly infects human B cells and epithelial cells, which is initiated by fusion of the viral envelope with a host cellular membrane ² . The mechanism of EBV entry into B cells has been well characterized ³ . However, the mechanism for epithelial cell entry remains elusive. Here, we show that the integrins αvβ5, αvβ6 and αvβ8 do not function as entry and fusion receptors for epithelial cells, whereas Ephrin receptor tyrosine kinase A2 (EphA2) functions well for both. EphA2 overexpression significantly increased EBV infection of HEK293 cells. Using a virus-free cell-cell fusion assay, we found that EphA2 dramatically promoted EBV but not herpes s

SUBMITTER: Chen J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5972547 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature