Immune modulation of human B lymphocytes by gene transfer with recombinant Epstein-Barr virus amplicons.
We described previously a novel mode of gene transfer by infection of human B lymphocytes with recombinant Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) amplicons. This system was explored for its potential use in expressing various recombinant genes, including the cytokine IL-4, the HIV envelope glycoprotein (gp120) and a suicide and gag gene. Recombinant genes were present as multiple copy episomes and stable, high level recombinant gene expression could be detected by antigenic and functional assays. Amplicon-infected B cells secreted high levels of recombinant cytokine and efficiently presented recombinant antigens through classes I and II MHC-restricted antigen processing pathways. Thus, recombinant EBV amplicons can be used to express components of the immune system or heterologous genes for immune recognition in human B cells. Combining gene transfer with EBV infection may provide unique advantages for in vitro and in vivo gene transfer.
Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. fwang@rics.bwh.harvard.edu
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D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics; D011995:Recombination, Genetic
D015488:HIV Antigens; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D015847:Interleukin-4