Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus-infected B cells in vivo demonstrate three distinct patterns of latent gene expression, depending on the differentiation stage of the cell. Tonsillar naive B cells express the EBNA2-dependent lymphoblastoid phenotype, characteristic of direct infection. Germinal center centroblasts and centrocytes as well as tonsillar memory B cells express a more restricted pattern of latent genes (EBNA1(Q-K)+, LMP1+, LMP2+, EBNA2-) that has only been seen previously in EBV-positive tumors. Peripheral memory cells express an even more restricted pattern where no latent genes are expressed, with the possible exception of LMP2. These results are consistent with a model where EBV uses the normal biology of B lymphocytes to gain access to and persist within the long-lived memory B cell compartment.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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B-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
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B-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
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B-Lymphocyte Subsets / pathology*
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B-Lymphocyte Subsets / virology*
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Cell Differentiation / genetics
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Cell Differentiation / immunology
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Cell Line
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Cell Line, Transformed
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Cell Separation
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Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / immunology
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Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / pathology
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Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / virology
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Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / biosynthesis
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Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / genetics
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Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / immunology*
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Genes, Viral / immunology*
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Germinal Center / cytology
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Germinal Center / immunology
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Germinal Center / pathology
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Germinal Center / virology
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Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics*
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Herpesvirus 4, Human / immunology*
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Herpesvirus 4, Human / isolation & purification
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Humans
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Immunologic Memory / genetics
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Interphase / immunology
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Lymphocyte Activation / genetics
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Palatine Tonsil / cytology
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Palatine Tonsil / immunology
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Palatine Tonsil / pathology
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Palatine Tonsil / virology
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Transcription, Genetic / immunology
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Viral Structural Proteins / genetics*
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Virus Latency / genetics*
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Virus Latency / immunology*
Substances
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Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens
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Viral Structural Proteins