Immortalization of Epstein-Barr virus-infected CD23-negative B lymphocytes by the addition of B cell growth factor.
Epstein-Barr (EB) virus-immortalized B lymphocytes coexpress the EB viral latent gene products (EB viral nuclear antigens 1 to 6, the latent membrane protein and the terminal protein gene products) and the cellular activation antigen CD23. Immortalized B cells can be separated from those which are infected but not immortalized on the basis of CD23 expression as early as 2 days after in vitro infection. In the present report we have confirmed these data, but show that if left in culture for 7 days after infection before separation the CD23-negative cells show a donor-related ability to become CD23-positive and immortalize. CD23-negative cells separated 2 days after infection can be induced to immortalize by the addition of low Mr B cell growth factor but not by the addition of recombinant interleukin 1, 4 or soluble CD23. At 2 to 3 days after infection the EB viral nuclear antigens 1, 2 and the high Mr species 3, 4 and 6, as well as the latent membrane protein can be detected in the CD23-positive fraction. In contrast at this time only nuclear antigens 1 and 2 could be detected in the CD23-negative fraction. This difference in gene expression may account for the inability of the CD23-negative fraction to immortalize. In the light of these observations the mechanism of viral persistence in vivo is discussed.
Azim
T
T
Department of Virology, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, U.K.
Allday
M J
MJ
Crawford
D H
DH
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015870:Gene Expression; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D017455:Receptors, IgE
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D015847:Interleukin-4