Clinical Roundup

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Study shows how Epstein-Barr transforms B cells

Epstein-Barr virus infection is known to convert resting B lymphocytes into immortal cells that continuously multiply, which leads to posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder and can evolve to lymphoma and other lymphoproliferative disorders. In a recent study, Japanese researchers discovered the molecular mechanisms of this growth transformation, demonstrating the Epstein-Barr virus induces nucleolar enlargement and increased proliferation in B cells by activating the cancer-related gene IMPDH2.