Scientists have discovered that the cancer-causing virus Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) can infect neuronal cells and drive various changes in biomolecules such as fatty acids, carbohydrates and protein components, leading to diseases of the central nervous system as well as brain cancer.EBV has been found to be widely present in the human population. It usually causes no harm, but the virus reactivates in the body under some unusual conditions, such as immunological stress or immunocompetence. This can further lead to various complications such as a type of blood cancer called Burkitt’s lymphoma, stomach cancer, multiple sclerosis and so on. Previous studies have demonstrated the involvement of EBV in various neurodegenerative diseases. However, how this virus can affect and manipulate brain cells is still unexplored.
A research team from IIT Indore used a Raman microspectroscopy technique supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the FIST scheme to investigate the possible effects of a cancer-causing virus on brain cells. A technique based on the Raman effect is a simple, cost-effective tool to find sensitive chemical changes in biological samples .A study published in the journal ACS Chemical Neuroscience showed that there could be early and gradual changes in various biomolecules in neuronal cells under viral influence. Furthermore, these changes were distinct compared to those observed in other supporting brain cells (ie, astrocytes and microglia).
Some common biomolecular changes were occasionally
The team consists of a group leader from the Infection Bioengineering group at IIT Indore, Dr. Hema Chandra Jha, along with her students OmkarIndari, Shweta Jakhmola and Meenakshi Kandpal in collaboration with Materials and Devices Laboratory Group Leader (Department of Physics) Professor Rajesh Kumar and a team including Dr. Devesh K. Pathak and Ms. Manushree Tanwar found that some common biomolecular changes were occasionally observed in these cells. They observed that the molecules of lipid, cholesterol, proline and glucose increased in the cells under the influence of the virus. These biomolecular entities could ultimately play a key role in viral usurpation of cells. Furthermore, the study also provided insight into whether these biomolecular changes may be correlated with virus-related impacts and associated with neurological complications.
“The research is helping to understand EBV-mediated biomolecular changes in different compartments of the central nervous system, leading to a better understanding of nervous system diseases,” said Dr. Hem Chandra Jha. Professor Rajesh Kumar pointed out that the study is also useful in establishing the benefits of Raman microspectroscopy, a cost-effective and non-invasive technique, in conducting studies of cellular complications associated with viruses in clinical settings. It could provide an edge in analyzing clinical samples compared to other techniques that require advanced setups to study virus-related changes in cells, tissues and organs.
