Emmanuel Drouet

Grenoble Alpes University France

Emmanuel Drouet, PharmD, is a Professor of Virology at the Faculty of Pharmacy, the University Grenoble-Alpes, France. As a head scientist at the Institute of Structural Biology in Grenoble, Dr. Drouet’s research investigates persisting viruses in humans (RNA and DNA viruses) and the balance with our host immune system. He focuses on these viruses’ effects on humans (both their impact on pathology and their symbiotic relationships in humans). He has an excellent track record in the herpesvirus field, and his group is engaged in clinical research in the field of Epstein-Barr virus diseases. He is the editor of the online Encyclopedia of Environment and he coordinates the Universal Health Coverage education program for the BioHealth Computing Schools of the European Institute of Science.

1books edited

2chapters authored

Latest work with IntechOpen by Emmanuel Drouet

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a fascinating microorganism, as a “double-facetted” viral agent. After primary infection, it can persist throughout a person’s lifetime in a latent form, from which it can reactivate following specific stimuli (i.e., immunodepression). Unlike other herpesviruses, EBV reactivates a countless number of times with such a high replication rate that it is unable to be controlled by conventional anti-herpesvirus drugs. Moreover, for various reasons, no vaccine is currently available in the market. This book presents a comprehensive overview of EBV, including information on its potential for oncogenic activity, its various isolates, and possible vaccine candidates.

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Epstein-Barr Virus

Edited by Emmanuel Drouet

Chapters authored

The Role of the Epstein-Barr Virus Lytic Cycle in Tumor Progression: Consequences in Diagnosis and Therapy

By Emmanuel Drouet

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation corresponds to the activation of EBV global replication involving not only the origin of the latent viral replication but also that of the origin of lytic replication. During this reactivation, a minority of B cells infected with EBV in its latent form enter the lytic phase. During this phase, all EBV proteins are produced, enabling the assembly of complete virions that lysate their host cells and infect neighboring cells (lytic cycle). This horizontal EBV transmission seeks to increase the pool of EBV-infected B cells. This chapter seeks to review the role of the lytic EBV proteins (particularly that of the ZEBRA protein) in tumor development. This protein is the main transcription factor of EBV, expressed during the activation of the lytic cycle. Recently, we demonstrated that this immediate early protein can be detected in the soluble state (s-ZEBRA) in the serum of patients with posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder. We highlighted the role of ZEBRA in EBV pathogenesis in transplanted subjects, not only as a key protein in the activation of EBV replication but also as a protein “toxoid” released into the extracellular milieu. This release could result in increased secretion of immunomodulatory cytokines and that of angiogenesis-promoting factors conducive to tumor progression.

Part of the book: Human Herpesvirus Infection

Epstein-Barr Virus: Should We Still Invest in Vaccines or Focus on Predictive Tests?

By Emmanuel Drouet

The complex interplay between host and EBV has made it difficult to elaborate useful vaccines protecting against EBV diseases. It is encouraging to see that EBV vaccine programs have started to incorporate different arms of the immune system. An array of argument calls for a realistic goal for vaccine strategies which should be preventing EBV diseases, rather than EBV infection. EBV is the primary cause of infectious mononucleosis and is associated with epithelial cell carcinomas, as well as lymphoid malignancies. Parallel to this need, one could propose priorities for future research: (i) identification of surrogate predictive markers for the development of EBV diseases (ii) determination of immune correlates of protection in animal models and humans.

Part of the book: Epstein-Barr Virus

Emmanuel Drouet

Latest work with IntechOpen by Emmanuel Drouet

Epstein-Barr Virus

Chapters authored

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