Steps Involved in Immortalization and Tumorigenesis in Human B-Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines Transformed by Epstein-Barr Virus

Abstract excerpt

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is closely associated with the generation of various tumors, including Burkitt's lymphoma. Human resting B cells from peripheral blood are easily transformed by EBV to actively proliferating B-lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). These LCLs with normal diploid karyotypes have been believed to be "immortal", without becoming tumorigenic. A series of recent studies, however, indicate that this...