Research progress on neutralizing antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus glycoproteins

<p indent="0mm">Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a member of the human herpesvirus γ subfamily, is the first identified human oncogenic virus. EBV infection is closely associated with the development of infectious mononucleosis, various lymphomas, and epithelial cell tumors, contributing to over 200000 tumor cases and more than 140000 deaths globally each year. This significant public health and economic burden underscores the urgent need for effective therapeutics and vaccines. Currently, no approved drugs or vaccines specifically target EBV. Neutralizing antibodies, which primarily target glycoproteins on the EBV envelope involved in viral entry, serve as valuable tools for virological research. Evaluating the properties and functional activities of these antibodies enhances our understanding of EBV infection mechanisms and informs rational vaccine design. Additionally, neutralizing antibodies exhibit potent <italic>in vivo</italic> and <italic>in vitro</italic> activity, offering promising potential for the prevention and treatment of EBV infections and associated diseases. This review systematically explores neutralizing antibodies targeting EBV envelope glycoproteins, summarizing their functional characteristics, binding epitopes, and neutralizing mechanisms. By providing insights into these antibodies, the article aims to establish a robust theoretical foundation for the development of therapeutic drugs and vaccines against EBV.