Role of LMP1 in immune control of EBV infection

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encoded latent membrane protein (LMP1) plays a crucial role in the long-term persistence of this virus within the cells o f the immune system. Not only is this protein critical for the transformati on of resting B cells by EBV, it also displays pleiotropic effects on vario us cellular proteins expressed in the host cell. These include up-regulatio n of expression of B cell activation antigens, adhesion molecules and vario us components of the antigen processing pathway. Here we discuss how LMP1 a cts like an expression 'switch' which, depending on the stage of EBV infect ion, manoeuvres various pathways that either modulate the immune system tow ards or against its survival.