How Epstein-Barr virus affects mouth and throat cells
Project 3 - Latent and Lytic EBV Infection in Epithelial Cells
This work looks at how Epstein‑Barr virus changes mouth and throat cells to help people with nasopharyngeal cancer and AIDS-related oral lesions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11322130 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be hearing about research that studies how EBV keeps infected oral and throat cells in a growth state and how the virus becomes active when those cells mature. Scientists use human oral cell lines in the lab to follow viral proteins (like LMP1) and cell pathways (including YAP/TAZ and factors such as IRF6, RIPK4, KLF4, and BLIMP1) that control growth and viral reactivation. The team will map how these molecular interactions promote tumor-like behavior or cause the lytic infections seen in oral hairy leukoplakia. Results are intended to point to biological markers or targets that could ultimately lead to better prevention or treatments for EBV-related conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma, patients with AIDS-related oral hairy leukoplakia, or individuals with EBV-positive tumors who can provide tissue samples or clinical data would be most relevant.
Not a fit: People with cancers or conditions that are not linked to Epstein‑Barr virus are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets or markers that help prevent or treat EBV-related throat cancers and AIDS-associated oral lesions.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have shown EBV proteins such as LMP1 can change cell growth and differentiation, but translating these lab findings into patient therapies has been limited so far.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kenney, Shannon Celeste — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Kenney, Shannon Celeste
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.