Epstein-Barr virus in Adygeans and Slavs in Russia: virus types, LMP1 variants, and malignant tumors

Introduction. It is known that the structural features of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) affect the manifestation of its biological properties. Based on differences in the sequences of the EBNA2, EBNA3A, -B, and -C genes, two types of the virus, EBV-1 and EBV-2, have been identified that have different ability to transform B cells in vitro and possibly playing certain role in the development of EBV-associated neoplasms.Aim. To study the prevalence of EBV-1 and EBV-2 in two ethnic groups, Аdygeans and Slavs, as well as the contribution of EBV-associated tumors to the overall incidence of malignant neoplasms certain organs and tissues.Materials and methods. DNA samples were extracted from 59 oral lavages of ethnic Аdygeans from Republic of Adygea and 40 such from oral cavity of ethnic Slavs of Moscow city. These samples were used for amplification of EBV DNA, determination of the concentration of viral DNA copies per 1 cell washout, as well as for amplification of EBV LMP1 followed by sequencing of the resulting gene samples and determination of their protein variant (LMP1).Results. Studies have shown that among the representatives of the Аdygeans the 2nd EBV type prevails, and among the Slavs, the 1st one. Epstein-Barr virus isolates in representatives of the two ethnic groups also differed in the structure of LMP1. Among the Slavs, a set of its LMP1 variants (B95.8/A, China, Med- and NC) was identified. However, among the Adygeans, the only variant - B95.8 and its subtype - B95.8/A was identified. EBV-1, which prevails among the representatives of the Slavs and has the ability to transform B-cells, was projected onto a higher incidence of tumors of the pharynx, stomach, Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (where EBV-associated cases cam occur) in the population of Moscow than in the population of the Republic of Adygea. However, the differences between incidence rates for these neoplasms (with the exception for the stomach tumors) were not statistically significant (p >0.5). A higher and statistically significantly different incidence rate of stomach cancer in residents of Moscow city, compared with that in residents of the Republic of Adygea, in our opinion, is not due to EBV-1 type and/or LMP1 variants, but rather is associated with a genetic predisposition the population of Moscow city to this tumor.Conclusion. The fact that two ethnic groups of Russia were found to be prevails by different types of EBV raises the question of their ethno-geographical association and their role in the induction of EBV-associated tumors. To resolve this issue additional studies in other geographical regions of Russia among representatives of different ethnic groups are required.