Membranes of EBV-carrying virus nonproducer cells inhibit leukocyte migration of EBV-seropositive but not seronegative donors.
We have previously shown that the leukocytes of healthy EBV-seropositive (but not seronegative) donors respond with migration inhibition (LMI) when confronted with extracts of EBV-carrying (but not EBV negative) cells. In the present study, we have examined whether this EBV-specific LMI response is capable of detecting a membrane antigen on the surface of EBV-carrying virus nonproducer cells. Crude membranes from EBV-genome carrying and EBV-negative cell lines were used as antigen. Contamination with the EBV-determined nuclear antigen (EBNA) was ruled out. Membranes from EBV-genome carrying nonproducer cells inhibited the migration of leukocytes from healthy seropositive donors, whereas membranes from EBV-negative lines had no such effect. Seronegative donors did not show any LMI. The clear difference between the EBV-negative Ramos line and its EBV-converted sublines was particularly conclusive in showing that the membrane component is determined or induced by the viral genome.
D000941:Antigens; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000276:immunology; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007961:Leukocyte Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000276:immunology*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000276:immunology*; D008566:Membranes / Q000276:immunology
D000941:Antigens; D007961:Leukocyte Migration-Inhibitory Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D003165:Complement System Proteins