Epstein-Barr Virus latent membrane protein 1 overcomes all-trans retinoic acid-induced apoptosis by inhibiting retinoic acid receptor-β2 expression

► LMP1 overcomes ATRA-induced apoptotic cell death. ► LMP1 suppresses activation of intrinsic apoptosis pathway by ATRA. ► LMP1 downregulates levels of RAR-β2 to inhibit intrinsic apoptotic pathway via DNA methylation. ► The effect of LMP1 provides a mechanism for EBV-mediated NPC development.