Epstein-Barr virus-infected lymphocytes in non-neoplastic lymph nodes of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas occurring in AIDS patients (AIDS-NHL) are known to be highly associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). However, there have been no previous detailed studies of the distribution of EBV-infected non-neoplastic lymphoblasts, which may act as precursors of AIDS-NHL. In the present study, an attempt was made to detect such EBV-infected cells in patients' lymphoid organs. Fifteen non-neoplastic lymph nodes obtained from HIV-positive individuals were processed for in situ demonstration of EBV-encoded small RNA (EBER-1) and EBV-encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1). An increased number of EBER-1-expressing cells were observed (9/15). EBER-1-positive cells were present much more frequently in advanced cases, as evaluated using the histopathologic criteria of Grundmann (1/6 cases showing irregular follicular hyperplasia; 3/4 showing the beginning follicular destruction; 2/2 showing progressive follicular destruction; 3/3 showing follicular involution). LMP-1 was detected in 3/9 EBER-1-positive cases, and all three of these cases were at the most advanced stage. Furthermore, cells expressing LMP-1 were larger (62.83 +/- 6 microm2) than EBER-1+ LMP-1- cells (29.05 +/- 7 microm2). These results indicate that cells with latent expression of the EBV gene increase in number in lymphoid organs of HIV-infected individuals at an advanced stage and that some of the cells are in a transformed state. It is possible to speculate that these cells are precursors of AIDS-NHL.
Zheng
H
H
Department of Pathology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Japan.
Mori
S
S
D002452:Cell Count; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D015342:DNA Probes / Q000737:chemistry; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology*; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D011230:Precancerous Conditions; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D015342:DNA Probes; C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; C099537:Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA 1; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins