Viruses disrupt functions of human lymphocytes. II. Measles virus suppresses antibody production by acting on B lymphocytes.
Measles virus infection is associated with suppression of immune functions both in vivo and in vitro. The virus infects T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and monocytes, but does not produce cytolysis. One consequence of infection in vitro is the failure of T and B lymphocyte mixtures to cooperate in secreting Ig in a PWM-driven system. Here we report that this defect in Ig secretion resides in the infected B lymphocyte, but not in the T lymphocyte or monocyte. Further, NK cells are not involved, since neither their depletion nor reconstitution abrogates suppression of B cell function. Proliferation of B cells in the early culture period is suppressed, suggesting that measles virus suppresses B cell development at the activation or proliferation stages, but does not affect terminal differentiation into Ig secreting cells.
D000917:Antibody Formation; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D008457:Measles / Q000276:immunology*; D008459:Measles virus / Q000276:immunology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology
D006133:Growth Substances; D008222:Lymphokines; D015847:Interleukin-4