Expression of Epstein-Barr virus transformation-associated genes in tissues of patients with EBV lymphoproliferative disease.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been associated with serious or fatal lymphoproliferative disease in immunocompromised patients. EBV nuclear protein 2 and latent membrane protein are characteristically expressed in B lymphocytes proliferating in vitro in response to growth transformation by EBV. These two proteins are thought to be effectors of lymphocyte growth since they increase the expression of B-lymphocyte activation (CD23) and cell-adhesion (LFA 3 and ICAM 1) molecules in vitro. Using monoclonal antibody-immune microscopy, we have demonstrated that these two EBV proteins and their associated B-lymphocyte activation or adhesion molecules are expressed in the infiltrating B lymphocytes in immunocompromised patients with EBV lymphoproliferative disease. These monoclonal antibodies should be useful in the early diagnosis of EBV lymphoproliferative disease and in distinguishing it from other B-lymphocyte cancers associated with EBV, such as Burkitt's lymphoma. The finding of EBV nuclear protein 2 and latent membrane protein and their associated activation or adhesion molecules provides a further pathophysiologic link between EBV and the proliferation of B lymphocytes in immunocompromised patients.
Young
L
L
Department of Cancer Studies, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Alfieri
C
C
Hennessy
K
K
Evans
H
H
O'Hara
C
C
Anderson
K C
KC
Ritz
J
J
Shapiro
R S
RS
Rickinson
A
A
Kieff
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000235:genetics*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000032:analysis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000032:analysis*; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000032:analysis
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins