Epstein-Barr virus reactivation after superinfection of the BJAB-B1 and P3HR-1 cell lines with cytomegalovirus.
BACKGROUND
Studies examining herpesvirus-herpesvirus (cytomegalovirus (CMV)-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)) interactions are limited, and many of the studies have been clinical observations suggesting such an interaction exists. This report aims to examine the in vitro susceptibilities of BJAB-B1 and P3HR-1 cells (EBV positive Burkitt's lymphoma B-cell lines) to a CMV superinfection; and show that EBV reactivation occurs after CMV superinfects these cell lines.


RESULTS
The BJAB-B1 and P3HR-1 cells were observed to be susceptible to a CMV superinfection by detecting the major immediate early (MIE) viral transcript and protein (p52) expression. The BZLF1 transcript was observed in both cell lines superinfected with CMV, indicating EBV reactivation. BZLF1 protein was observed in the BJAB-B1 cells. Antigen detection was not performed in the P3HR-1 cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The results from the in vitro superinfections support the in vivo studies suggesting a CMV infection is related to an EBV reactivation and suggests that CMV may be important as a co-factor in EBV pathogenesis in the immunocompromised patient.
Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Fl 33612, USA. rarcenas@hsc.usf.edu
Rodney
R
Arcenas
Raymond H
RH
Widen
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000821:virology; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D017781:Genes, Immediate-Early / Q000235:genetics; D005814:Genes, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D020871:RNA Stability / Q000502:physiology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000502:physiology; D015163:Superinfection / Q000821:virology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000821:virology; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000235:genetics
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins; C044582:immediate-early proteins, cytomegalovirus; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases