B cells under influence: transformation of B cells by Epstein-Barr virus.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an extremely successful virus, infecting more than 90% of the human population worldwide. After primary infection, the virus persists for the life of the host, usually as a harmless passenger residing in B cells. However, EBV can transform B cells, which can result in the development of malignant lymphomas. Intriguingly, the three main types of EBV-associated B-cell lymphoma - that is, Burkitt lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and post-transplant lymphomas - seem to derive from germinal-centre B cells or atypical survivors of the germinal-centre reaction in most, if not all, cases, indicating that EBV-infected germinal-centre B cells are at particular risk for malignant transformation.
Küppers
Ralf
R
Institute for Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany. ralf.kuppers@uni-koeln.de
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000276:immunology
C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins