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Relationship between immunoglobulin production and immortalization by Epstein Barr virus
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|August 1, 1985
Summary
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection activates human B cells to secrete immunoglobulin (Ig) and immortalize. Not all Ig-secreting B cells become immortal, with IgM-committed cells showing higher immortalization rates.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects human B lymphocytes, inducing immunoglobulin (Ig) secretion and immortalization.
- The relationship between EBV-induced Ig production and B cell immortalization requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between EBV-induced Ig secretion and B cell immortalization.
- To determine if all EBV-stimulated Ig-secreting B cells are also immortalized.
Main Methods:
- Utilized limiting dilution culture techniques to assess B cell activation and immortalization.
- Analyzed precursor frequencies for Ig secretion versus long-term in vitro growth.
Main Results:
- The precursor frequency for Ig secretion (4.7%) was higher than for long-term growth (2.1%).
- Approximately 50% of EBV-induced Ig-secreting B cell precursors formed long-term cell lines.
- IgM-committed precursors were more prone to immortalization than IgG or IgA precursors.
Conclusions:
- EBV infection can lead to transient Ig secretion or long-term B cell immortalization.
- Ig production is not always associated with immortalization in freshly infected B cells, but typically is in established EBV-induced lines.