In situ RT-PCR detection of Epstein-Barr virus immediate-early transcripts in CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes.

Abstract

AIDS-related Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated T cell lymphomas are emerging as a new, distinct histopathological entity. The pathway whereby EBV infects T cells as well as the initial EBV transcriptional program in T cells has not been established. In order to shed light on the early events of the EBV infection of T cells, we have used in situ reverse transcription based polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to study the initial EBV transcriptional program in homogeneous CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes. Following EBV infection, Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA) expression could be detected in T rosetting CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Only a few cells showed viral capsid antigen (VCA). EBV immediate-early gene transcripts (BZLF1, BRLF1, and BMLF1) encoded in the BamHI Z, R, and M fragments could be detected by in situ RT-PCR in the EBV producer cell line B95.8. Both BZLF1 and BRLF1 immediate-early transcripts, but not BMLF1 transcript, could be detected in individual CD4+ and CD8+ T cells infected with EBV. Demonstration of EBV mRNA transcripts encoding immediate-early transcriptional transactivators in EBV-infected T cells provides the first evidence for a possible mechanism whereby EBV could contribute to T cell proliferation and EBV-associated T cell malignancies.

• Authors: M Guan, G Romano, E E Henderson
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) 1998 Sep-Oct Vol. 18 Issue 5A Pg. 3171-80 ISSN: 0250-7005 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 9858880 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antigens, Viral
• BRLF1 protein, Human herpesvirus 4
• BZLF1 protein, Herpesvirus 4, Human
• DNA-Binding Proteins
• Immediate-Early Proteins
• Trans-Activators
• Transcription Factors
• Viral Proteins

Topics

• Antigens, Viral (metabolism)
• Burkitt Lymphoma (virology)
• CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes (virology)
• CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes (virology)
• Cell Nucleus (metabolism)
• DNA-Binding Proteins (metabolism)
• Herpesvirus 4, Human (metabolism)
• Humans
• Immediate-Early Proteins (metabolism)
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Trans-Activators (metabolism)
• Transcription Factors (metabolism)
• Viral Proteins