Epstein Barr Virus(EBV): Connecting the dots between virus infection and progress of brain cancer

Source: The post is based on the article “Connecting the dots between virus infection and progress of brain cancer” published in PIB on 11th July 2022.

What is the News?

Scientists have found that the cancer-causing virus Epstein Barr Virus(EBV) can infect the neuronal cells and drive various changes leading to diseases of the central nervous system as well as brain cancer.

What is Epstein Barr Virus(EBV)?

The EBV virus has been found to be widely present in the human population. 

It usually does not cause any harm, but the virus gets reactivated inside the body in some unusual conditions like immunological stress or immunocompetence. 

This may further lead to various complications like a type of blood cancer called Burkitt’s lymphoma, stomach cancer, multiple sclerosis and so on. 

Earlier studies provided links to EBV involvement in various neurodegenerative diseases. However, how this virus can affect the cells of the brain and manipulate them is still unexplored.

What have the scientists found out?

Scientists have found that Epstein Barr Virus(EBV) can infect neuronal cells and drive various changes in biomolecules such as fatty acids, carbohydrates and protein components leading to diseases of the central nervous system as well as brain cancer.

What is the significance of these findings?

This research work aids in the understanding of EBV-mediated biomolecular changes in the various compartments of the central nervous system leading to a better understanding of nervous system diseases.