title: Immortalization of human primary B lymphocytes in vitro with DNA.
abstract: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human DNA tumor virus that efficiently immortalizes human primary B lymphocytes in vitro. Although viral genes that are expressed in latently infected B lymphocytes have been shown to function in cellular growth control, their detailed genetic analysis has been cumbersome for two reasons. The viral genome is too large to permit genetic engineering and human primary B lymphocytes, the only targets for infection by EBV in vitro, are both intractable in culture and recalcitrant to DNA transfection. To overcome these obstacles, we have assembled all the essential genes of EBV on a single recombinant vector molecule in Escherichia coli. We show here that this mini-EBV plasmid can yield immortalized B cells upon transfer of its naked DNA into human primary B lymphocytes. Established cell lines carry recombinant vector DNA and cannot support virus production. Because this DNA can be easily manipulated in E. coli, mutant mini-EBVs as well as foreign genes can now be introduced and studied successfully in recipient B lymphocytes from any human donors. These mini-EBVs therefore are potentially useful for human gene therapy.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Klinische Molekularbiologie und Tumorgenetik, GSF-Forschungszentrum für Umwelt und Gesundheit GmbH, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kempkes
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pich
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zeidler
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hammerschmidt
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000821:virology; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002999:Clone Cells; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005144:F Factor; D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D005814:Genes, Viral; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000235:genetics; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000276:immunology; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains