Soluble recombinant CR2 (CD21) inhibits Epstein-Barr virus infection.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), an oncogenic herpesvirus of humans, displays selective tropism for B lymphocytes and epithelial cells. EBV tropism is thought to be determined in part by a unique host cell receptor termed CR2 (CD21). Although previous studies have demonstrated that CR2 mediates EBV binding to B cells, its role in initiating EBV infection and B-cell transformation is less certain. In the studies reported here, soluble recombinant CR2 was shown to cause substantial inhibition of EBV infection of B cells in vitro, indicating that CR2 binding initiates EBV infection. Soluble CR2 may represent a therapeutic agent for acute and chronic EBV infections in humans.
Nemerow
G R
GR
Department of Immunology, Research Institute of Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, California 92037.
Mullen
J J
JJ
Dickson
P W
PW
Cooper
N R
NR
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000235:genetics; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D011951:Receptors, Complement / Q000235:genetics; D017464:Receptors, Complement 3d; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D011951:Receptors, Complement; D017464:Receptors, Complement 3d; D011991:Receptors, Virus; D011994:Recombinant Proteins