Epstein-Barr Virus Immediate-Early Protein BZLF1 Inhibits Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha-Induced Signaling and Apoptosis by Downregulating Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1

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Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a key mediator of host immune and inflammatory responses and inhibits herpesvirus replication by cytolytic and noncytolytic mechanisms. TNF-α effects are primarily mediated through the major TNF-α receptor, TNF-R1, which is constitutively expressed in most cell types. Here we show that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) immediate-early protein BZLF1 prevents TNF-α activation of target genes and TNF-α-induced cell death. These effects are mediated by down-regulation of the promoter forTNF-R1.Additionally, we demonstrate that expression of TNF-R1 is downregulated during the EBV lytic replication cycle. Thus, EBV has developed a novel mechanism for evading TNF-α antiviral effects during lytic reactivation or primary infection.