BARF1 is a viral protein expressed during EBV infection, particularly in malignancies such as NPC and gastric carcinoma. It plays roles in immune evasion, cellular transformation, and tumor progression by:
Acting as a decoy receptor for human colony-stimulating factor 1 (hCSF1), suppressing monocyte/macrophage activity .
Inducing cyclin-D expression and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 upregulation .
Promoting SMAD4 suppression via NF-κB-mediated miR-146a upregulation .
A monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting BARF1 (designated 3D4) has been developed for immunotherapy. This antibody binds to residues 28–38 of BARF1, recognizing the protein in its native conformation on tumor cell surfaces .
Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity (ADCC): The 3D4 mAb effectively mediates ADCC against BARF1-positive tumor cells .
Complement-Dependent Cytotoxicity (CDC): Demonstrates strong CDC activity proportional to BARF1 expression levels .
| Model | Outcome | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| NPC | Reduced tumor mass and improved long-term survival in preclinical models | |
| Lymphoma | Significant antitumor activity in disseminated mouse models |
The 3D4 mAb offers advantages over conventional therapies:
Specificity: Targets BARF1, a viral protein absent in healthy tissues .
Biodistribution: Accumulates selectively in BARF1-positive tumors for up to 6 days post-administration .
Dual Mechanisms: Engages both ADCC and CDC pathways for tumor cell elimination .
Antigen Shedding: BARF1 is secreted by tumor cells, complicating immunohistochemical detection .
Limited Immunogenicity: BARF1 induces weak humoral responses in patients, necessitating engineered mAbs for clinical use .
While "BARS1 Antibody" remains unidentified in current literature, the BARF1 mAb exemplifies the translational potential of targeting viral oncoproteins in EBV-associated cancers. Researchers investigating "BARS1" should verify the term’s accuracy or explore related targets like BARF1.
KEGG: ath:AT4G15370
STRING: 3702.AT4G15370.1