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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
Establishment of Epstein-Barr Virus Growth-transformed Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines
Published on: November 8, 2011
Selective outgrowth of a posttransplant B-immunoblastic lymphoma expressing a latent membrane protein-1 deletion
G R Kershaw1, C Berger, C McQuain
1Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester 01655-0246, USA.
Background:
Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders are generally associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and are of B cell origin. We report the case of a B-immunoblastic lymphoma that developed in a pretransplantation EBV-seronegative woman 4 months after kidney transplant from her HLA-haploidentical brother. The patient successfully underwent immunotoxin therapy for lymphoma and has been in remission for 36 months.
Methods:
Latent EBV genomes were identified by polymerase chain reaction, and the purified amplification products were directly sequenced with [35S]dATP.
Results:
Molecular analysis of the latent membrane protein (LMP)1 oncogene of EBV, which was expressed in most tumor cells, revealed a 30-base pair deletion. No wild-type LMP1 sequences were found. Analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the EBV-seropositive donor showed the presence of both the LMP1 deletion variant and the wild-type sequence. The LMP1 deletion variant and the wild-type sequence were also identified within peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the EBV-seroconverted kidney recipient 20 months after lymphoma therapy.
Conclusion:
This pattern is consistent with a natural growth advantage of B cells expressing the LMP1 deletion variant in the immunocompromised host.
