Lymphoid cells in infectious mononucleosis classified according to T and B cell markers.
It has been demonstrated that peripheral blood lymphocytes, particularly the "atypical" ones, are predominantly of the T type in infectious mononucleosis (IM). This is based on membrane marker studies (E rosettes, receptor for complement, receptor for Fc fragment of immunoglobulins (Ig), and membrane Ig) and by anti-T lymphocyte serum. On the other hand, lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from IM patients show the characteristics of B lymphocytes. This permits the suppostion that EBV infects B lymphocytes and stimulates them to proliferate. The cell proliferation is unlimited in vitro and is probably controlled in vivo by T cells. The reduction of cellular immunity in vivo, which contrasts with the high number of T cells in peripheral blood, could be explained by the fact that T cells are engaged in the regulation of B cell proliferation.
D000818:Animals; D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile / Q000032:analysis; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D001666:Binding Sites, Antibody; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007104:Immune Adherence Reaction; D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D012756:Sheep / Q000276:immunology; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D003165:Complement System Proteins