GB virus C replicates in primary T and B lymphocytes.
GB virus C (GBV-C) infection is common in humans and may persist for decades, although most infected persons clear the virus and subsequently develop antibodies to the envelope glycoprotein. GBV-C replicates in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and CD4(+) T lymphocytes in vitro, and depletion of CD4(+) T lymphocytes has been proposed as the reason for clearance of GBV-C among persons positive for human immunodeficiency virus. We identified GBV-C RNA in purified CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes and CD19(+) B lymphocytes removed ex vivo from infected donors and found that GBV-C replicated in vitro in these PBMC subsets, suggesting that GBV-C is a panlymphotropic virus.
George
Sarah L
SL
Research Service and Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University Hospital and St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, MO 63110, USA. georgesl@slu.edu
Varmaz
Dino
D
Stapleton
Jack T
JT
D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000378:metabolism; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018178:Flaviviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D029407:GB virus C / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D014779:Virus Replication
D018941:Antigens, CD19; D012367:RNA, Viral