Abstract: Objective: To study the regulation of EBV LMP1 on proinflammatory factors of Ca9-22 cells as well as its mechanism. Methods: Ca9-22 cells were transfected with 0.05 μg and 0.2 μg pSG-GFP-LMP1 plasmids. The expressions of GFP were observed under fluorescence microscope, the mRNA and protein levels of LMP1 were measured by Real-time PCR and ELISA after 24 h and 48 h, respectively. Ca9-22 cells were transfected with 0.2 μg pSG-GFP-LMP1 plasmids, and the mRNA and protein levels of IL-8 were measured by real-time PCR and ELISA at 24 h and 48 h. Ca9-22 cells were transfected with 0.05 μg and 0.2 μg pSG-GFP-LMP1 plasmids, the protein levels of p-IκBα, IκBα, p-p65, and p65 were measured by western blot. Results: Ca9-22 cells transfected with the pSG-GFP-LMP1 plasmid could be expressed successfully. After transfection of Ca9-22 cells with 0.2 μg plasmid, the mRNA and protein levels of IL-8 in the experimental group were significantly increased (P<0.01). 48h after transfection, the mRNA and protein levels of IL-8, the protein levels of p-IκBα, p-p65, and p65 in the experimental group were significantly increased (P<0.01). Furthermore, the expressions were increased in a dose-dependent manner. The protein levels of IκBα was decreased in the experimental group (P<0.01) . Conclusion: EBV LMP1 may induce IL-8 expression in Ca9-22 cells by activating NF-κB phosphorylation.

Key words: Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1, IL-8, NF-κB, Ca9-22