lytic

As a whole, the group's findings suggested a mechanism of lytic EBV in MS that promoted inflammation and disease.

"Our work with these SLCLs shows that the problematic inflammation signaling from lytic EBV can be selectively targeted in a way that demonstrably reduces damaging immune responses," said Dr. Lieberman.

Subsequent cryo-electron tomographic analysis visualized the step-by-step details of how this secretion system exports cellular contents via a previously unknown lytic mode of action that overcomes the three barriers surrounding gram-negative bacteria.

This behavior is known as the lysogenic cycle, in contrast to the lytic cycle in which a virus copies itself before bursting out of its host cell and destroying it.

To address the issue, Hatfull’s team genetically engineered the misbehaving phage to express lytic behavior.