title: The dispersal of mucosal memory B cells: evidence from persistent EBV infection.
abstract: We have used latent infection with the human herpesvirus Epstein-Barr virus to track the dispersal of memory B cells from the mucosal lymphoid tissue of Waldeyer's ring (tonsils/adenoids). EBV is evenly distributed between the memory compartments of Waldeyer's ring and the peripheral blood. However, it has an approximately 20-fold higher preference for Waldeyer's ring over the spleen or mesenteric lymph nodes. These observations are consistent with a model whereby the virus preferentially establishes persistent infection within memory B cells from Waldeyer's ring. The virus then colonizes the entire peripheral lymphoid system, at a low level, by trafficking with these memory B cells as they circulate through the body and back to Waldeyer's ring. This pathway may reflect that of normal memory B cells derived from nasopharyngeal and other mucosal lymph nodes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Lauri L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Laichalk
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hochberg
authors.forename: Gregory J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Babcock
authors.forename: Richard B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Thorley-Lawson
mesh_terms: D000234:Adenoids / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D002353:Carrier State; D002465:Cell Movement; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007072:Immunoglobulin D / Q000032:analysis; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D008643:Mesentery / Q000276:immunology; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D017735:Virus Latency
chemical_list: D007072:Immunoglobulin D; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral