Epstein-Barr Virus LMP1 Does Not Trigger Oxidative Stress or Caspase Activity under Transient Expression in NP69 Cells

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether transient LMP1 expression induces oxidative stress and caspase 3/7 activity in NP69 nasopharyngeal epithelial cells.

Material and Methods: NP69 cells were transiently transfected with LMP1-expressing (pTracer-LMP1, pcDNA-LMP1) or vector control plasmids. ROS levels were measured using DCFHDA or CellROX, and caspase 3/7 activity using Caspase-Glo®. Data were analysed using Independent Samples ttest and contingency analysis.

Results: Transient LMP1 expression did not significantly increase ROS levels or caspase 3/7 activity in either pTracer or pcDNA systems (p > 0.05). Combined analysis also showed no significant association between LMP1 expression and elevated oxidative stress or apoptosis.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that transient LMP1 expression alone is insufficient to induce oxidative stress or apoptosis in normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. Additional cellular or viral factors may be required to trigger oxidative stress-related pathways implicated in NPC development.