Functional T-cell anergy in a case of persistent polyclonal B-cell lymphocytosis.
The T-cell population of a patient with persistent polyclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (PPBL) presenting with an intermittent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated disease was studied. Unstimulated T-cells did not express CD40 ligand (CD40L), whereas activation with IL-2 led to expression of this costimulatory molecule. CD40L expression was inhibited upon incubation with the supernatant of an EBV-positive B-cell line (SM) which had been grown spontaneously from the patient's peripheral blood cells. The supernatant of SM cells effectively inhibited cytotoxic T-cells. Elevated levels of IL-10, TNF-alpha and soluble CD40 were found in the supernatant of SM cells. Additionally, enhanced levels of LMP-1 protein were detected.
Mitterer
Manfred
M
Department of Transfusion Medicine, Meran Hospital, Meran, Italy. mitman@dnet.it
Lanthaler
Andrea J
AJ
Irschick
Eveline U
EU
Engelmann
Hartmut
H
Larcher
Clara
C
Huemer
Hartwig P
HP
D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000235:genetics; D017635:Clonal Anergy; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008218:Lymphocytosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology
D007376:Interleukin-2; D023201:CD40 Ligand