Whole transcriptome analysis of EBV infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)

In order to gain insights into the intricate molecular alterations taking place following Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in primary B-cells, we employed RNA-Seq to investigate the dynamic changes occurring within the cell transcriptome during the early stages of EBV infection (0, 2, and 4 days post infection). By analysing the transcriptomic data generated, our objective was to find novel pathways and mechanisms that may play pivotal roles in the EBV-induced transformation of B-cells, particularly during early stage of B-cell activation. Overall design: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were infected with wild type GFP-tagged EBV (B95.8 strain) and total RNA was isolated post 2 and 4 days of infection. Uninfected PBMCs were taken as experimental control.