Changes in blood B cell phenotypes and Epstein-Barr virus load in chronically human immunodeficiency virus–infected patients before and after antiretroviral therapy.
BACKGROUND
Switched and nonswitched memory B cells, which usually constitute the main reservoirs of Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV), are rapidly depleted in patients with chronic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Because the EBV load is frequently increased in these patients, other B cell reservoirs might participate in EBV persistence.


METHODS
We examined the combined expression of CD27, SIgD/G/M, CD38, CD10, CD5, CXCR5, CD62L, CD44, and CXCR3 on B cells from healthy donors (n = 30) and from HIV type 1-infected patients (n = 23) at diagnosis and after highly active antiretroviral therapy. The plasma HIV load and the DNA EBV load in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were assessed.


RESULTS
Increased frequencies of CD38+SIgD+CD10+ B cells were found in patients with an EBV load >10(3)copies per 10(6)peripheral blood mononuclear cells and a strong depletion of memory B cells. This phenotype resembles that of transitional B cell subsets. Elevated percentages of these B cells were still found in 2 patients showing no decrease in EBV load after highly active antiretroviral therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Because transitional-like B cells persist concomitantly with high EBV load after highly active antiretroviral therapy, we suggest that this population might be an alternative EBV reservoir in patients with chronic HIV infection who have strongly reduced numbers of memory B cells. The consequences of EBV infection of immature B cells are discussed with regard to B cell maturation and a higher prevalence of B cell lymphoma in HIV‐infected patients.
Richard
Yolande
Y
Division of Immuno‐Virology, Commissariat à L'Energie Atomique, Institute of Emerging Diseases and Innovative Therapies, Fontenay aux Roses, 2Unité Mixte de Recherche–E01, Orsay, France. yolande.richard-clausse@cea.fr
Amiel
Corinne
C
Jeantils
Vincent
V
Mestivier
Denis
D
Portier
Alain
A
Dhello
Guy
G
Feuillard
Jean
J
Creidy
Rita
R
Nicolas
Jean-Claude
JC
Raphael
Martine
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006678:HIV / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010949:Plasma / Q000821:virology; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000032:analysis; D019562:Viral Load
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D015703:Antigens, CD; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine