Evidence of Epstein-Barr virus heterogeneous gene expression in adult lung transplant recipients with posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-driven posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a serious complication following lung transplant. The extent to which the presence of EBV in PTLD tissue is associated with survival is uncertain. Moreover, whether the heterogeneity in expression of EBV latency programs is related to the timing of PTLD onset remains unexplored. We retrospectively performed a comprehensive histological evaluation of EBV markers at the tissue level in 34 adult lung transplant recipients with early- and late-onset PTLD. Early-onset PTLD, occurring within the first 12 months posttransplant, had higher odds to express EBV markers. The presence of EBV in PTLD was not associated with a difference in survival relative to EBV-negative tumors. However, we found evidence of heterogeneous expression of EBV latency programs, including type III, IIb, IIa, and 0/I. Our study suggests that the heterogeneous expression of EBV latency programs may represent a mechanism for immune evasion in patients with PLTD after lung transplants. The recognition of multiple EBV latency programs can be used in personalized medicine in patients who are nonresponsive to traditional types of chemotherapy and can be potentially evaluated in other types of solid organ transplants.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Zaffiri, L; Frankel, C; Bush, EJ; Neely, ML; Pavlisko, EN; Mokrova, IL; Luftig, MA; Palmer, SM

Published Date

  • August 2021

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 93 / 8

Start / End Page

  • 5040 - 5047

PubMed ID

  • 33704812

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC9208898

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1096-9071

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1002/jmv.26936

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States