Enhanced frequency of spontaneous B cell lines from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) seropositive donors 80 years and older

Based on the well-recognized decline in immunocompetence which develops with advancing age, we have evaluated the effect of age on the frequency of development of spontaneous Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected B cell lines. Blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 38 clinically healthy seropositive donors. The cells were maintained in vitro according to routine culture conditions for lymphocytes. Eight spontaneously EBV-infected B lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) were isolated. The LCL developed in 12.5, 14.3, or 6.3% of the samples derived from donors in the three age groups 20-39, 40-59, 60-79, respectively. In contrast, samples from five of seven (71%) donors 80 years and older yielded LCL. Although the reason(s) for the increased frequency of occurrence of spontaneous LCL from the older adults is yet to be explored, the possible role of the virus-specific T lymphocytes as a contributing factor is discussed.