Lymphocytes activated by the Epstein-Barr virus to produce immunoglobulin do not express CD23 or become immortalized.
Epstein-Barr virus causes polyclonal activation and immortalization of a small percentage of peripheral blood B lymphocytes after in vitro infection. However, the susceptible B lymphocytes have not been identified. We have used the B lymphocyte activation antigen, CD23, as a marker for separating immortalized and non-immortalized Epstein-Barr virus-infected B lymphocytes and have identified the polyclonally-activated cells, using double staining for cytoplasmic immunoglobulin and viral antigens. The vast majority of cells expressing cytoplasmic immunoglobulin are negative for CD23 and for Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen, and are non-immortalized. Conversely, the CD23-positive, immortalized population are positive for Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen and negative for cytoplasmic immunoglobulin. These results define a diversity in the response of B lymphocytes to Epstein-Barr virus infection and suggest separate pathways for terminal differentiation and immortalization. This diversity may be important in determining the outcome of Epstein-Barr virus infection in humans.
Azim
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Department of Haematology, Chenies Mews University College, London Medical School, UK.
Crawford
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DH
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D010641:Phenotype; D017455:Receptors, IgE
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D017455:Receptors, IgE