Herpesvirus saimiri strain 11 immortalizes a restricted marmoset T8 lymphocyte subpopulation in vitro.
Herpesvirus saimiri induces a fatal lymphoproliferative syndrome in a variety of New World primate species. We now show that cell lines derived from PBL of the common marmoset by in vitro-immortalization with H. saimiri strain 11 represent a remarkably restricted lymphocyte population. These cell lines have NK cell function, phenotypically express both suppressor/cytotoxic (T8) and NK cell (NKH1)-associated antigens, and express a T cell receptor. This subpopulation of lymphocytes is a very minor population of cells in the peripheral blood of common marmosets (less than or equal to 3%). The specificity in the interaction between H. saimiri strain 11 and a subpopulation of common marmoset lymphocytes represents an example of a restricted viral lymphotropism and may have important implications for the disease induced by this virus in New World monkeys.
D000818:Animals; D002143:Callitrichinae; D002460:Cell Line; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006567:Herpesvirus 2, Saimiriine / Q000254:growth & development*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D010641:Phenotype; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell