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Generation of Multivirus-specific T Cells to Prevent/treat Viral Infections after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant
Published on: May 27, 2011
CD4+ T-cell effectors inhibit Epstein-Barr virus-induced B-cell proliferation
S Nikiforow1, K Bottomly, G Miller
1Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA.
Journal of Virology
|March 27, 2001
Summary
CD4+ T cells prevent rapid proliferation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected B cells. This immune surveillance is crucial for controlling early-stage EBV-driven B-cell growth, unlike later stages controlled by CD8+ T cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can cause B-cell lymphoproliferative disease and lymphoma in immunodeficient individuals.
- Immortalized B-cell lines readily form in vitro without immune surveillance.
- Memory T cells inhibit EBV-transformed B-cell foci in regression assays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the specific T-cell subset responsible for regulating the early proliferative phase of EBV-infected B cells.
- To analyze T-cell surveillance mechanisms governing EBV-mediated B-cell proliferation using quantitative methods.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of T-cell surveillance on EBV-infected B cells.
- In vitro infection of B cells with EBV and assessment of proliferation.
- Manipulation of T-cell populations (CD4+ and CD8+) to determine their role in immune control.
Main Results:
- CD4+ T cells significantly limit the proliferation of newly infected, activated CD23+ B cells.
- In the absence of T cells, EBV-infected CD23+ B cells exhibit rapid division within the first three weeks post-infection.
- Removal of CD4+ T cells, but not CD8+ T cells, abrogated immune control over early B-cell proliferation.
- Purified CD4+ T cells effectively inhibited the outgrowth of EBV-infected B cells in vitro.
Conclusions:
- CD4+ effector T cells are essential for preventing the early proliferative phase of EBV-induced B-cell growth.
- This contrasts with the role of CD8+ cytolytic T cells in eliminating established EBV-infected lymphoblastoid cell lines.
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