The expression pattern of Epstein-Barr virus latent genes in vivo is dependent upon the differentiation stage of the infected B cell.
Epstein-Barr virus-infected B cells in vivo demonstrate three distinct patterns of latent gene expression, depending on the differentiation stage of the cell. Tonsillar naive B cells express the EBNA2-dependent lymphoblastoid phenotype, characteristic of direct infection. Germinal center centroblasts and centrocytes as well as tonsillar memory B cells express a more restricted pattern of latent genes (EBNA1(Q-K)+, LMP1+, LMP2+, EBNA2-) that has only been seen previously in EBV-positive tumors. Peripheral memory cells express an even more restricted pattern where no latent genes are expressed, with the possible exception of LMP2. These results are consistent with a model where EBV uses the normal biology of B lymphocytes to gain access to and persist within the long-lived memory B cell compartment.
Babcock
G J
GJ
Department of Pathology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
Hochberg
D
D
Thorley-Lawson
A D
AD
D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002460:Cell Line; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002469:Cell Separation; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D005814:Genes, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000235:genetics; D007399:Interphase / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000235:genetics; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000276:immunology; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D017735:Virus Latency / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*
D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins