Epstein-Barr virus and wild p53 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Both Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and p53 have independently been associated wi th idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This study explores further whether a relationship potentially exists between EBV and p53 in IPF thereby provi ding a possible mechanism for the role of EBV in the disease progression of IPF Lung tissue from open lung biopsies of 14 IPF patients was compared wi th a control group of 19 patients. EBV status was determined using both imm unohistochemistry and PCR, while p53 expression was assessed with immunohis tochemistry. Seven of 14 IPF patients expressed p53 compared to one of 19 c ontrol subjects (P = 0.011). Eight IPF patients and no controls were positi ve for EBV (P < 0.01). Four IPF patients demonstrated both EBV and p53 expr ession compared with no controls, (P = 0.05). This study suggests that a re lationship between EBV and p53 may exist in patients with IPF (C) 2001 Harc ourt Publishers Ltd.