Epstein–Barr virus-infected B cell (None firmly established; “EBV-infected B cell” is commonly used in literature but is not a standardized abbreviation.)

Epstein–Barr virus-infected B cells are human B lymphocytes that have been infected and transformed by Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). EBV efficiently infects and activates resting B lymphocytes, inducing their proliferation and transformation into immortalized lymphoblastoid cells. This process involves coordinated activation of host cell signaling pathways (e.g., STAT3, p38-MK2) and expression of key viral proteins (such as EBNA2 and LMP1) that drive oncogenic signaling, reprogramming the cell for viral latency and immune evasion[1][5][7]. EBV-infected B cells play central roles in various infectious, inflammatory, and neoplastic diseases, including infectious mononucleosis, Burkitt’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and other EBV-driven B cell lymphomas[5][2]. However, unlike classical molecular targets (such as receptors or enzymes), this term denotes a cell population with altered molecular biology consequent to viral infection, rather than a discrete target suitable for direct molecular pharmacology.

Other names

EBV-infected B lymphocyteEBV-positive B cellEBV+ B cellEBV-transformed B cell

Depletion of B cells (monoclonal antibodies like rituximab bind CD20, leading to killing of both infected and uninfected B cells)[5] Inhibition of viral replication (antivirals reduce EBV load, indirectly impacting infected B cells)