The objective of this study was to characterize and compare the molecular and biological properties of BILF1 encoded by the human Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and BILF1 orthologues encoded by three porcine lymphotropic herpesviruses (PLHV1-3). The localization, constitutive internalization, and signaling, as well as the immunoregulatory role of PLHV1-3 BILFs, were determined and compared to the previously studied molecular properties of EBV-BILF1. Via cell based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fluorescence microscopy, the conserved cell surface expression was confirmed. Moreover, for the first time, detailed endocytic pathways were described in this study of all four BILFs by antibody-feeding and a novel real-time internalization assay in live cells. Dominant negative mutants (DNMs) and chemical inhibitors confirmed clathrin-mediated endocytosis as a mechanism for BILF1 internalization. This mechanism was β-arrestin-independent as was confirmed by bioluminescence resonance energy transfer assay (BRET2) and bioinformatics analysis. Furthermore, caveolin seems to be involved in BILF1 trafficking. Investigating downstream signaling events mediated by the BILF1 receptors, Gαi dependent constitutive BILF1 activity but differential activation of downstream transcription factors were shown by luciferase assay. There was no activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 by the BILF1 receptors. The immunoevasive properties of PLHV1-3 BILFs were confirmed, as shown for EBV-BILF1 by flow cytometry and supported by a new method based on fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, downregulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I) was conserved for all BILFs in human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells but not in porcine kidney 15 (PK-15) cells. Finally, the association of PLHV1-BILF1 expression with the development of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) was determined via RT-qPCR showing specific expression of only PLHV1-BILF1 after the disease onset. These results represent a first step toward establishing a PLHV1-associated porcine PTLD model, not only to study the pathological aspects of EBV-mediated disease but also to test BILF1 as a potential drug target relevant for the treatment of EBV-associated PTLD in humans.
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