Update on the Regulation and Maintenance of Epstein-Barr Virus Latency

As the first identified human oncogenic virus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is widely circulating in humans. EBV presents mainly in latent state in tumors, and the maintenance of latency is an outcome of the virus-host interaction. The understanding of the viral latency will provide insight into the pathogenesis and therapeutics of EBV-associated diseases.

Recent studies have found that EBV latency differs in the 3D chromatin conformation of the genome according to its type, and that this difference affects gene expression. In addition, EBV latency is also regulated by many other factors, especially the discovery of epigenetic and immune regulation provides new ideas for EBV latency maintenance.

Here, we focus on the characteristics and maintenance of EBV latency, as well as the effect of viral latent infection on diseases, summarizing recent progress in the regulation EBV latency. The pathogenesis of EBV-related diseases is also discussed.