Cells Expressing the Epstein-Barr Virus Growth Program Are Present in and Restricted to the Naive B-Cell Subset of Healthy Tonsils

• DOI: 10.1128/jvi.74.21.9964-9971.2000
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T10:06:23Z
• Authors: Alexandra M. Joseph; Gregory J. Babcock; David A. Thorley-...
• Keywords: Immunoglobulin D; Lymphoblast; Tonsil; Virus latency; Naive B cell

In this paper we demonstrate, for the first time, that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected cells expressing lymphoblastoid growth program are present in healthy carriers of virus. Previously observed latently infected naive B tonsils only when viral replication is detected, suggesting these may represent newly cells. We have tested idea by performing a reverse transcription-PCR analysis expression latent genes (EBNA2 and EBNA3s) characteristically expressed latency program. EBNA2 regularly detected purified (IgD(+)) tonsillar (13 16 tested) but was never found IgD(-) population (0 16). More detailed revealed mRNAs EBNA1 (3 3 tested), EBNA3a 5), EBNA3b EBNA3c LMP1 (6 6), LMP2 (5 6) were also IgD(+) population, EBNA1Q-K transcript, characteristic nonlymphoblastoid forms latency, 6). Finally, demonstrate express CD80 (B7.1), marker on activated lymphoblasts absent from resting The tonsil therefore has cellular phenotype B-cell directly with EBV-an lymphoblast