Nadal Niggli Bonanomi Odermatt

Fakultäten » Medizinische Fakultät » Kinderspital Zürich: Medizinische Klinik » Infektiologie, Abteilung » Prof. Dr. David Nadal » Nadal Niggli Bonanomi Odermatt

Completed research project

Title / Titel	Pathogenic role of cytokine gene expression in Epstein-Barr virus-associated tumor formation
PDF	Abstract (PDF, 14 KB)
Original title / Originaltitel	Pathogenic role of cytokine gene expression in EBV-associated tumor formation
Summary / Zusammenfassung	This project aims to test the hypothesis that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated tumor formation is significantly driven by an altered regulation of cytokine genes. We will establish a novel in vitro model for the study of EBV-dependent tumor pathogenesis using histocultures from human tonsils. Employing the real-time reverse transcription assays already developed by us we will quantitatively characterize the expression of cell proliferation enhancing or suppressing cytokine genes during EBV infection and the relation to the expansion or diminution of EBV in its various activity states. By treatment of the histocultures with immunosuppressive drugs we will simulate immune conditions present in the immunocompromised transplant recipient and again quanti-tatively study the cytokine gene expression and the relationship to reactivation of or primary infection with EBV. Following depiction of the differences in cytokine gene expression in immunocompetent and immunocompromised lymphoid tissues we will conduct functional experiments using immunomodulators to further substantiate the role of the identified tumor promoting cytokine gene expressions.
Keywords / Suchbegriffe	Epstein-Barr virus, cytokines, tumor, pathogenesis
Project leadership and contacts / Projektleitung und Kontakte	Prof. Dr. D. Nadal (Project Leader) david.nadal@kispi.uzh.ch PD Dr. F. Niggli (Project Leader) felix.niggli@kispi.uzh.ch Dr. A. Bonanomi (Project Leader) athos.bonanomi@bli.uzh.ch Prof. D. B. Odermatt (Project Leader) Bernhard.Odermatt@pty.usz.ch
Funding source(s) / Unterstützt durch	Foundation Cancer League Kanton of Zurich
Duration of Project / Projektdauer	Jul 2002 to Jun 2004