Assays and therapies for latent viral infection

Abstract

Compositions that bind specific viral proteins expressed during the latent stage of the viral life cycle are disclosed. These compositions bind the latent viral proteins while the viral proteins are expressed in their cellular host, and provide a means for targeting cells that harbor latent virus. In a preferred embodiment the compositions are antibodies which bind the extracellular region of the latent viral protein, most preferably LMP- A, an EBV latent protein, conjugated to a diagnostic or cytotoxic agent or immobilized to a solid support for infected cell removal. These antibodies can distinguish cells expressing EBV DNA from cells which do not. Compositions that can be used to elicit production of these antibodies, or as a vaccine, are also disclosed. Methods for generating diagnostic or cytotoxic reagents and vaccines based on the viral epitopes that identify cells harboring latent virus are also discloset. The antibody conjugates can be used in diagnostic assays to identify cells expressing latent viral protein and people harboring latent viral particles. The antibody conjugates can also be used to remove infected cells or kill the infected cells. Alternatively, or in addition, the viral proteins or portions thereof can be used as a vaccine to induce an immune reaction by the host to kill the infected cells. These methods can be used to detect or treat patients harboring latent viruses like EBV and who risk developing autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA).