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Being present in around 90% of the worldwide population, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an exceptionally prevalent virus. This highly successful virus establishes a latent infection in resting memory B cells and is maintained in a balance between viral homeostasis on one side and antiviral defense of the immune system on the other side. The life cycle of EBV is dependent on many viral proteins, but EBV also regulates a number of endogenous proteins. 7TM receptors and ligands of viral and host origin are examples of such proteins. 7TM receptors are highly druggable and they are among the most popular class of investigational drug targets. The 7TM receptor encoded by EBV-BILF1, is known to downregulate cell surface MHC class I expression as part of the immune evasion strategy of EBV. However, the functional impact of the relationship between EBV and the regulated endogenous 7TM receptors and ligands is still unclear. This is for instance the case for the most upregulated 7TM receptor EBI2 (EBV-induced gene 2 or GPR183). Whereas some regulated genes have been suggested to be involved in the EBV life cycle, others could also be important for the antiviral immune defense. As many of these 7TM receptors and ligands have been shown to be modulated in EBV-associated diseases, targeting these could provide an efficient and specific way to inhibit EBV-associated disease progression. Here, we will review current knowledge on EBV infection, the immune defense against EBV and 7TM receptors and ligands being either encoded or manipulated by EBV., (© 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Splenic dendritic cells (DCs) present blood-borne antigens to lymphocytes to promote T cell and antibody responses. The cues involved in positioning DCs in areas of antigen exposure in the spleen are undefined. Here we show that CD4(+) DCs highly express EBI2 and migrate to its oxysterol ligand, 7α,25-OHC. In mice lacking EBI2 or the enzymes needed for generating normal distributions of 7α,25-OHC, CD4(+) DCs are reduced in frequency and the remaining cells fail to situate in marginal zone bridging channels. The CD4(+) DC deficiency can be rescued by LTβR agonism. EBI2-mediated positioning in bridging channels promotes DC encounter with blood-borne particulate antigen. Upon exposure to antigen, CD4(+) DCs move rapidly to the T-B zone interface and promote induction of helper T cell and antibody responses. These findings establish an essential role for EBI2 in CD4(+) DC positioning and homeostasis and in facilitating capture and presentation of blood-borne particulate antigens. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00757.001.