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Detection of Epstein-Barr virus in lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia by in situ hybridization
J A Barberà1, S Hayashi, R G Hegele
1Pulmonary Research Laboratory, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Abstract:
The involvement of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the pathogenesis of lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP) was investigated using an in situ hybridization technique. Archival lung tissue samples from 14 patients (six men and eight women with a mean age of 58 +/- 3 yr) in whom a diagnosis of LIP had been previously established were retrospectively examined and compared with samples from 10 patients (six men and four women with a mean age of 58 +/- 3 yr) with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who served as control subjects. In patients with LIP, the immunophenotype of the lymphocytic infiltrate was determined by using monoclonal antibodies to both pan-B-cell and pan-T-cell markers. In situ hybridization studies were performed by using the BamHI-W region of the EBV genome as a probe and a colorimetric detection method. The immunophenotyping studies showed that the interstitial infiltrate in LIP was primarily made up of B-lymphocytes, particularly within the lymphoid aggregates, whereas T-lymphocytes were sparsely distributed along the alveolar septa. The in situ hybridization studies showed the presence of cells bearing the EBV genome in nine cases of LIP and in two cases of IPF (p less than 0.05, Fisher's exact test). In LIP, the EBV-positive cells were observed in both enlarged and normal septa and occasionally within the lymphoid aggregates. We conclude that EBV may promote the proliferation of B-lymphocytes in a substantial number of patients with LIP.
Insights
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may play a role in lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP). Researchers found EBV in lung tissue of most LIP patients, suggesting it promotes B-lymphocyte proliferation in this condition.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is a rare lung disease with unclear etiology.
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common human herpesvirus implicated in various lymphoproliferative disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential involvement of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the pathogenesis of lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP).
- To characterize the cellular infiltrate in LIP and identify the presence of EBV within these cells.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of archival lung tissue samples from 14 LIP patients and 10 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) controls.
- Immunophenotyping of lymphocytic infiltrates using B-cell and T-cell specific monoclonal antibodies.
- In situ hybridization using the EBV BamHI-W region probe to detect EBV genome presence.
Main Results:
- The lymphocytic infiltrate in LIP predominantly consisted of B-lymphocytes, especially in lymphoid aggregates.
- EBV genome was detected in lung tissue of 9 out of 14 LIP patients.
- EBV-positive cells were found in enlarged and normal septa, and within lymphoid aggregates in LIP cases.
- EBV was detected in only 2 out of 10 IPF control subjects (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is present in a significant proportion of patients with lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP).
- EBV may contribute to the pathogenesis of LIP by promoting B-lymphocyte proliferation.