Relation between Epstein-Barr viral and cell membrane immunofluorescence of Burkitt tumor cells. I. Dependence of cell membrane immunofluorescence on presence of EB virus

Role of Viral Infections in the Pathogenesis of Sjögren's Syndrome: Different Characteristics of Epstein-Barr Virus and HTLV-1

Viruses are possible pathogenic agents in several autoimmune diseases. Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), which involves exocrine dysfunction and the appearance of autoantibodies, shows salivary gland- and lacrimal gland-oriented clinical features. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most investigated pathogen as a candidate that directly induces the phenotype found in SS. The reactivation of the virus with various stimuli induced a dysregulated form of EBV that has the potential to infect SS-specific B cells and plasma cells that are closely associated with the function of an ectopic lymphoid structure that contains a germinal center (GC) in the salivary glands of individuals with SS. The involvement of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) in SS has been epidemiologically established, but the disease concept of HTLV-1-associated SS remains unexplained due to limited evidence from basic research. Unlike the cell-to-cell contact between lymphocytes, biofilm-like structures are candidates as the mode of HTLV-1 infection of salivary gland epithelial cells (SGECs). HTLV-1 can infect SGECs with enhanced levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that are secreted from SGECs. Regardless of the different targets that viruses have with respect to affinitive lymphocytes, viruses are involved in the formation of pathological alterations with immunological modifications in SS.

T-cell receptor mimic (TCRm) antibody therapeutics against intracellular proteins

T-cell receptor mimic (TCRm) antibodies combine the capacity of a T cell to target intracellular antigens with other capacities unique to antibodies. Neoantigens are abnormal proteins that arise as a consequence of somatic mutations. Technological advances promote the development of neoantigen-targeting therapies including TCRm antibody therapies. This review summarizes key characteristics of TCRm antibodies, in particular those targeting neoantigens, and further introduces discussion of obstacles that must be overcome to advance TCRm therapeutics.

EBV-Specific Immune Response: Early Research and Personal Reminiscences

Early research on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) developed from serological observations that were made soon after the discovery of the virus. Indeed, the definition of the humoral response to a variety of EBV proteins dominated the early literature and was instrumental in providing the key evidence for the association of the virus with infectious mononucleosis (IM), Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Each of these disease associations involved a distinct pattern of serological reactivity to the EBV membrane antigens (MA), early antigens (EA), and the EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA). When it became generally accepted that the marked lymphocytosis , which is a hallmark of acute IM, was dominated by T cells, considerable effort was directed toward untangling the specificities that might be associated with restricting the proliferation of newly infected B cells. Early evidence was divided between support for both EBV non-specific and/or HLA non-restricted components. However, all results needed to be reassessed in light of the observation that T cells died by apoptosis within hours of separation from fresh blood from acute IM patients. The observation that EBV-infected cultures from immune (but not non-immune) individuals began to die (termed regression) about 10 days post-seeding, provided the first evidence of a specific memory response which was apparently capable of controlling the small pool of latently infected B cells which all immune individuals possess. In this early era, CD8(+) T cells were thought to be the effector population responsible for this phenomenon, but later studies suggested a role for CD4(+) cells. This historical review includes reference to key early observations in regard to both the specific humoral and cellular responses to EBV infection from the time of the discovery of the virus until 1990. As well, we have included personal recollections in regard to the events surrounding the discovery of the memory T cell response since we believe they add a human dimension to a chapter focussed on early history.

Enhanced susceptibility of B lymphoma cells to measles virus by Epstein-Barr virus type III latency that upregulates CD150/signaling lymphocytic activation molecule

Measles virus (MV) is one of the candidates for the application of oncolytic virotherapy (OVT). Although an advanced clinical study has been reported on a T-cell lymphoma, the potential of MV OVT against B-cell lymphomas remains to be clarified. We found that an EBV-transformed B lymphoblastoid cell line, a model for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and EBV-positive Burkitt's lymphoma cells bearing type III latency were highly susceptible to the cytolysis induced by an MV vaccine strain CAM-70. As analyzed by EBV-positive and -negative counterparts of the same cytogenetic background, type III EBV latency, not type I, was shown to augment the susceptibility of B lymphoma cells to MV-induced cytolysis. Cell surface levels of CD150/signaling lymphocytic activation molecule, a receptor of MV, were upregulated in B lymphoma cell lines with type III EBV latency by 3.8-fold, on average. The cytolytic activity of CD150-tropic WT MV was akin to that of CD46- and CD150-tropic CAM-70, suggesting that CD150 is critical for the susceptibility to MV-induced cytolysis. Among EBV-encoded genes, latent membrane protein 1 was responsible for the CD150 upregulation. It was notable that the majority of B lymphoma cell lines of type III EBV latency showed higher susceptibility to the non-Edmonston-derived CAM-70 than to the Edmonston-derived Schwarz strain. This is the first report indicating the potential of non-Edmonston MV strain for the application of OVT. Furthermore, a cellular regulator of MV replication was implicated that functions in a vaccine strain-specific fashion. Altogether, the MV OVT should serve as an alternative therapy against EBV-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with type III EBV latency.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein-1 down-regulates tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) receptor-1 and confers resistance to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis in T cells: implication for the progression to T-cell lymphoma in EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome

The infection of T cells by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may result in hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) through enhanced cytokine secretion, particularly tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), by EBV latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1). One bewildering observation of HPS patients is relapsing disease or progression to T-cell lymphoma. This finding raises the question whether EBV LMP-1-expressing T cells may survive and proliferate in the cytokine milieu of HPS. To explore this possibility, we tested the sensitivity of LMP-1-expressing T cells to apoptosis in the presence of TNF-alpha. LMP-1 up-regulated TNF-alpha through TRAF2,5 and nuclear factor-kappaB pathway in T cells. The LMP-1-expressing T cells then became resistant to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. Interestingly, the expression of TNFR1 was remarkably down-regulated by LMP-1 in T cells. Furthermore, the TNF-alpha/TNFR1 downstream death signal TNFR1-associated death domain protein was constitutively recruited by LMP-1, and the activities of apoptotic caspases 3, 8, and 9 were suppressed. Reconstitution of TNFR1 successfully reversed the TNF-alpha-induced apoptotic cascades. Therefore, EBV LMP-1 not only activates T cells to proliferate but also confers resistance to TNF-alpha-mediated apoptosis via down-regulation of TNFR1 in the cytokine milieu of HPS. This finding provides a potential mechanism to explain the disease persistence or progression to T-cell lymphoma in HPS patients.

Molecular characterization of an unusual non-Hodgkin's B-lymphoma cell line ("Farage") lacking the ability to produce immunoglobulin polypeptide chains

"Farage" is a cell line derived from a patient who had a diffuse and mixed type malignant lymphoma. In a previous study it was shown that Farage cells expressed B-cell markers, but not membrane IgM. Karyotypic analysis showed that in contrast to most follicular cell lymphomas, Farage did not have the 14;18 chromosomal translocation. In the present work Farage was further characterized by Southern and Northern blot analyses. Two rearranged heavy chain alleles and one rearranged kappa chain gene were detected. The cells expressed both mu and kappa mRNA, even though at a 3-7 fold lower level than that found in the control Daudi and DG-75 Burkitt lymphomas. Farage cells did not express the terminal deoxynucleotydyl transferase gene (TdT), nor the recombination activating genes RAG-1 and RAG-2, known as markers of the pre-B cell stage. These results show that Farage represents a mature B-cell rather than a pre-B cell. Despite the presence of C kappa and C mu RNAs, no Ig polypeptide chains were produced by Farage as judged by immunoblotting and biosynthesis labeling assays. Ig mRNAs were detected on the polysomal fraction, but at a lower level relative to Daudi cells. Our combined results suggest that in Farage cells translation of Ig mRNA is not fully blocked at the stage of translation initiation. Farage cells may express "germline" or mutated variants of Ig mRNAs. The unusual phenotype of Farage may reflect a normal as yet unknown stage of B-cell differentiation, or it may be due to an aberrant expression developed after malignant transformation.

Intranuclear compartmentalization of transcribed and nontranscribed c-myc sequences in Namalva-S cells

This investigation is centered on the intranuclear localization of transcribed and nontranscribed c-myc sequences in human Namalva-S cells bearing t(8;14) translocation. Southern hybridization showed that the breakpoint in the truncated allele of c-myc lies outside the characteristic 12.8-kbp EcoRI fragment: as Northern analysis indicated, this reorganization induces a high level of c-myc transcription. Following high-salt treatment, EcoRI digestion and centrifugation, isolated nuclei from the same cells are separated into two residual fractions: a heavier P fraction including nuclear matrix structures and a light S fraction representing dehistonized chromatin fibres. Comparative hybridization experiments revealed that the above procedure separates the c-myc sequences between the two fractions. To locate the site of intranuclear c-myc transcription, we performed run-on experiments with two fractions, topologically analogous to the residual P and S fractions but maintaining the original chromatin organization. These experiments indicated that chromatin P fraction harbours actively transcribed c-myc sequences while chromatin S harbours nontranscribed ones. Further experiments have clarified that the transcribed c-myc sequences are firmly bound to the matrix by multiple attachment sites, arranged throughout the entire gene locus. It was found, moreover, that at the site of attachment the interaction between DNA and the matrix components is realized via proteins. Controls with the beta-globin gene, which is constitutively nonexpressed in Namalva-S cells but upon induction is highly expressed in murine erythroleukemia cells, completely confirmed the conclusion we had made for the intranuclear localization of c-myc. Thus the experiments presented here support the more common idea that the transcribed and nontranscribed sequences are precisely compartmentalized.

Up regulation of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded membrane protein LMP in the Burkitt's lymphoma line Daudi after exposure to n-butyrate and after EBV superinfection

The Burkitt's lymphoma line Daudi carries a nontransforming Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) strain that has a deletion in the BamHI WYH region of the genome coding for the EBV nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA-2). Daudi cells fail to express the EBV-encoded latent membrane protein (LMP) (D. Ghosh and E. Kieff, J. Virol. 64:1855-1858, 1990). We show that LMP expression can be up regulated by exposure to n-butyrate and by superinfection with the B95-8 (B virus)- and P3HR1 (P virus)-derived EBV strains. Two LMP polypeptides of 60 and 48 kilodaltons (kDa) were detected in immunoblots of Daudi cells that had been exposed to 3 mM n-butyrate for 24 h. The intensity of the 48-kDa LMP increased during 72 h, in parallel with the appearance of early antigen-positive cells. The 60-kDa LMP was expressed at a low level and remained constant. Superinfection of Daudi cells with B and P virus induced the 60-kDa LMP within 3 h. In addition, P virus induced the 48-kDa LMP at a low level. The B virus-encoded EBNA-2 and EBNA-5 were detected 12 h after superinfection. The B virus-encoded 63-kDa LMP was coexpressed with the endogenous LMP after 48 h. Inactivation of the virus by UV illumination abolished the expression of the B virus-encoded antigens but did not affect the induction of the endogenous LMP. The B-cell activation marker CD23 was up regulated by B virus superinfection but not by n-butyrate exposure. CD23 was also expressed at a higher level in a stable B virus-converted subline, E95A-Daudi, that was EBNA-2 positive and coexpressed the Daudi virus- and B virus-encoded LMP. The results suggest that LMP expression is regulated by the interaction of cellular and viral factors. Binding of the virus to its membrane receptor might be involved in the triggering of cellular control mechanisms. Viral gene products are not directly involved in this function but may contribute to create a permissive cellular environment for LMP expression.

Immunoblotting reactivity of human sera from various sources against purified Epstein-Barr virus

The immunoblotting technique was used to analyse polypeptides of purified Epstein-Barr virus reacting with antibodies present in sera from clinically healthy individuals, from patients with infectious mononucleosis (IM) or AIDS, and from renal transplant recipients. Polypeptides with molecular sizes in the range of 40-290 kDa were detected. The 47- and 160-kDa nucleocapsid polypeptides, as well as the 72-, 74-, 140-, 220- and 290-kDa membrane polypeptides were the major viral proteins detected in the sera. Sera from clinically healthy individuals contained antibodies directed against all EBV membrane and nucleocapsid antigens. Sera from renal transplant recipients, from patients with IM and from patients with AIDS failed to react with certain nucleocapsid and membrane antigens; in particular, sera from AIDS patients and renal transplant recipients did not react with the 220-kDa polypeptide, one of the major membrane antigens, while sera from subjects with IM and from healthy individuals did. A high proportion of sera from patients with IM (38% vs 5% of clinically healthy individuals and 0-5% of the AIDS patients and renal transplant recipients) reacted with a 42-kDa polypeptide, suggesting its possible role in acute EBV infection.

Anti-class II antibodies in AIDS patients and AIDS-risk groups

The specificity of anti-lymphocyte antibodies was evaluated in AIDS patients and in individuals at risk of AIDS [R-AIDS: male homosexuals (Ho) and haemophiliacs (He)]. Antibodies capable of inducing antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) against non-T cells and lymphoblastoid cell lines (P3HR-1K and Raji) were detected in AIDS patients and in R-AIDS with positive or negative human immune deficiency virus (HIV) serology. Anti-class II antigen specificity was revealed by experiments in which class II antigens on target cells were blocked with monoclonal anti-class II antibody (DA6,231) and the cytotoxic reaction induced by patient's sera was abolished. In contrast, ADCC was not impaired by preincubating the target cells with anti-class I monoclonal antibody (W6/32). Prevalence of antibodies to non-T cells was confirmed by standard C-mediated microlymphocytotoxicity. However, with this technique anti-T lymphocyte cytotoxicity was also observed in three AIDS patients with haemophilia. R-AIDS peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were also cytotoxic against autologous non-T cells, and lysis was slightly increased by sensitization of the target cells with autologous serum. In addition to ADCC and C-mediated cytotoxicity, the specificity of anti-lymphocyte antibodies was assayed by their ability to interfere the binding of fluorescein-labelled anti-class II (HLA-DR) and anti-class I (W6/32) monoclonal antibodies to PBMC, non-T cells, P3HR-1K and Raji. Anti-class II specificity was confirmed, and antibody titres tended to be higher in Ho than in He R-AIDS, using non-T cells and Raji as targets. Higher titres of anti-class II antibodies in the Ho group could play a role in the different susceptibility of HIV-infected Ho when compared to HIV (+) He to develop AIDS.

Interaction of soybean agglutinin with human leukemia-lymphoma lines at various stages of differentiation

Human leukemia-lymphoma cell lines reflecting hematopoietic clones at various stages of differentiation were examined for reactivity with soybean agglutinin (SBA). The binding and redistribution pattern of soybean surface receptors was determined with fluorescein-isothiocyanate conjugated SBA (F-SBA) by ultraviolet microscopy, and with a fluorescent activated cell sorter (FACS). The results indicate that there is a correlation between SBA labelling--distribution and the stage of lymphoid cell differentiation. The SBA labelling on the membrane of null lines was undetectable by U.V. microscopy and flow cytometry. A gradual increase in SBA labelling correlating with the stage of differentiation was observed on cell lines of both B and T origin. However the maximal fluorescence intensity of the T lines was lower than the B lines. The redistribution pattern of SBA on the membrane of T lines was rings and mild patches, whereas that on the B lines was moderate to large patches. The reactivity of the lymphoid lines with SBA was not affected by growth conditions. The binding of SBA to normal lymphoblastoid lines was generally low and the fluorescence intensity weak. The reactivity of these lines with SBA was not associated with their origin or "age". It is suggested that the differences in the reactivity of SBA with human hematopoietic lines at various stages of maturation may be of value in future understanding the differences in structure and function of the surface membrane between normal and malignant cells, and the relation to normal and abnormal cell differentiation.

Distribution and modulation of surface charges of cells from human leukemia-lymphoma lines at various stages of differentiation

Untreated and retinoic acid (RA) treated human leukemia-lymphoma cell lines reflecting hematopoietic cells at various stages of differentiation, were examined electron microscopically for their surface negative charge distribution using cationized ferritin (CF), an electron dense label of anionic sites. The results indicate that there is a correlation between the CF labeling density/distribution and the stage of lymphoid cell differentiation. Viable unfixed null cell lines show a low CF labeling density with few and small CF patches. A gradual increase in CF labeling density and increase in size and number of CF patches correlates with the stage of differentiation on cell lines of both T or B origin. Treatment of viable unfixed cells with 10(-5) MRA for 10 days seems to prevent the CF-induced formation of CF patches, resulting in a continuous and even distribution of the CF label, similar to that observed on the surface of cells fixed before CF labeling. Some correlation between the distribution of surface anionic sites and the malignant potential of the human leukemic lines could be detected.

trans activation of the latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome after transfection of the EBV DNA fragment

Transfection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-nonproducer Raji cells with the BamHI Z fragment of EBV DNA induced antigens that were detected with human antiserum against EBV-specific early antigens. Northern blot analysis of transfected cells revealed that one intense RNA band hybridized with the BamHI H and F fragments but not with the BamHI Z fragment. Cooperation between the BamHI H, F, and BamHI Z regions was also confirmed in baby hamster kidney cells that were cotransfected with both fragments. These results indicate that the transfected BamHI Z fragment of EBV DNA induces a trans-acting factor which activates the gene expression of the BamHI H and F region and that the BamHI Z region possibly plays an important role in the latency of EBV.

Antagonism of glucocorticoid induction of Epstein-Barr virus early antigens by different steroids in Daudi lymphoma cells

Four antiglucocorticoids, RU38486, RU5020, RU25055 and progesterone were found to antagonize the induction of latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) information by dexamethasone. The dose response studies show that the antagonization was more prominent with the synthetic steroids than with the natural hormone. Specific binding characteristics of dexamethasone measured in whole cells indicate the presence of glucocorticoid receptors. Total cellular receptor contents deduced from binding data give values similar to those reported for B-lymphoblasts. Competition experiments between dexamethasone and RU38436 strongly suggest that RU38486 binds to two distinct sites in the whole cell; one is the glucocorticoid receptor but the nature of the other site is unknown. Inhibition by antiglucocorticoids differs from antagonism by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) since the latter does not compete for any sites interacting with RU38486.

Mitogenic capacity of oxidized human B cell lines

A combination of neuraminidase and galactose oxidase alters the membrane glycoproteins to generate highly reactive aldehyde groups on galactose moieties. Human B cell lines oxidized in this way were able to induce strong proliferative responses from normal untreated peripheral blood lymphocytes. Oxidized cell lines that stimulate well were also correlated to some extent with their ability to bind responder lymphocytes. The present investigation demonstrates the usefulness of oxidized B cell lines as a novel mitogen for use in the study of lymphocyte activation.

Induction of Epstein-Barr virus antigens by tumor promoters for epidermal and nonepidermal tissues

Fifteen established tumor promoters belonging to different chemical groups were tested for their ability to induce Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific early antigens (EA) in EBV-genome-positive nonproducer Raji cells. Saccharin (a promoter in urinary bladder carcinogenesis), DDT (a promoter in liver carcinogenesis), anthralin and iodoacetic acid (promoters in skin carcinogenesis) gave a significant induction with a maximum of induced cells of 20% (8 mg/ml), 0.8% (20 micrograms/ml), 0.8% (100 ng/ml) and 0.7% (0.4 micrograms/ml), respectively. In addition, after combined application with a noninducing dose (0.2 ng/ml) of 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), seven additional tumor promoters induced 0.3-2.1% EA-positive cells two days after treatment. The results indicate that in addition to mouse skin tumor promoters such as diterpene esters, several compounds reported to possess tumor-promoting activity in other types of tissue induce EBV. The data suggest that EBV induction is an effect commonly exerted by this group of compounds which should be very useful in screening for environmental tumor promoters.

Cross-linking of cell surface immunoglobulins induces Epstein-Barr virus in Burkitt lymphoma lines

Anti-human immunoglobulin (Ig) antibodies with single-chain specificities induced Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in various Burkitt lymphoma lines when the corresponding Ig chain was expressed on the cell surface. The F(ab')2 fragments of IgG antibody were as potent as intact Ig, while the Fab and Fc fragments gave no induction, indicating that cross-linking of surface Ig was required for the induction. Simultaneously with EBV induction, anti-Ig inhibited the uptake of 3H-thymidine. This inhibition was also seen in EBV-genome-negative Burkitt lymphoma lines. In contrast, no effect on virus induction and cell growth was noted in lymphoblastoid lines of non-neoplastic origin. The possible relationship between cell differentiation and latency of EBV-carrier state is discussed.

Human autologous mixed lymphocyte reactions (a review)

The literature concerning the autologous mixed lymphocyte reactions has been reviewed. This analysis supports the following conclusions: human subjects have self-responsive cells which are capable of proliferating when co-cultured with irradiated autologous non-T or Ia+ T cells. Since monoclonal antibodies recognizing distinct determinants of Ia antigen have different effects on AMLR with non-T cells and on Ia+ type AMLR, there is the possibility that different Ia molecule determinants have different functional role in the process of cell-to-cell interaction. The presence of AMLR abnormalities in disease strongly suggests that reactivity among different cell subsets plays a role in immunological homeostasis.

Induction of Epstein-Barr virus early antigens by corticosteroids: inhibition by TPA and retinoic acid

Corticosteroids can induce the synthesis of EBV antigens in the Burkitt lymphoma line Daudi. As early as 12 h after application of the drug, an increase of EA-positive cells can be seen, the maximum induction being reached after 2 days. Nanogram amounts per ml of hormone are sufficient for measurable effects. Early antigen induction by corticosteroids does not require replication of viral DNA. Induction by corticosteroid differs from induction by other systems in two major respects: (1) it does not cooperate with other inducers, and (2) it is specifically inhibited by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Induction by corticosteroids, however, shares at least one retinoic acid-sensitive step with induction by chemicals such as TPA, 5-iodo-2-deoxyuridine (IdUrd), n-butyric acid (n-BA) or inducing serum factor. This study defines three qualitatively different effects of TPA in Daudi cells: an inhibitory effect on EBV induction by corticosteroids and two differential types of synergistic effects with serum factor or n-BA, respectively. In this particular cell line, TPA exhibits no inducing capacity when applied alone.

Hybridization between a human epithelial line, infectable by Epstein-Barr virus, and Burkitt lymphoma lines: membrane properties, superinfectability, inducibility and tumorigenicity

The human epithelial line U, which is partially infectable with EBV, was hybridized with the EBV-genome carrying Burkitt lymphoma lines P3HR-1 and Daudi. Authenticity of the hybrids U-Put and U-Dut was established by isoenzyme studies. Although the two hybrids carried the EBV genome derived from the lymphoma parent, being 100% positive for Epstein-Barr-virus-associated nuclear antigen (EBNA), they resembled the U parent in many respects: they were deficient for membrane immunoglobulins and Fc receptors, and had a lower concentration of EBV-C3 receptors than either parent. Unlike the P3HR-1 parent, U-Put hybrid was nonpermissive for both the EBV cycle antigens, early antigen (EA) and viral capsid antigen (VCA). The inducing agent 12-O-tetra-decanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) caused distinct viral early antigen synthesis (EA) in U-Put, lower, however, than that of the parental P3HR-1. U-Dut was completely nonpermissive and noninducible for early and viral capsid antigens. Thus, even an epithelial parent infectable by EBV restricted, although not completely, expression of EBV antigens, with the exception of EBNA. It has been suggested that EBNA is an autonomous function of the viral genome, independent of host cell control; the latter regulates expression of antigens related to viral cycle. The hybrids U-Put and U-Dut resembled the U parent also in regard to growth in soft agar and tumorigenicity in nude mice, although in this respect the lymphoma parental properties were not completely eclipsed.

Epstein-barr virus induction by a serum factor: IV. Ubiquitous occurrence of the factor within vertebrates and its interaction with defined lymphoid cell lines

We have recently reported the existence of a serum factor that induces Epstein-Barr virus antigens in Raji cells (Bauer et al., 1982b, c). Here we demonstrate the ubiquitous presence of this factor in sera of vertebrates of all five classes. Furthermore, we tested 48 EBV-genome-positive lymphoid cell lines of different origins for responsiveness to the serum factor. Only cells from lines of two groups, i.e. Burkitt's lymphoma and EBV-transformed marmoset lines, responded to the factor, whereas human lymphoblastoid cell lines were not induced by the serum factor.

The effect of antibody and complement on the expression of herpesvirus of bovine malignant catarrhal fever in cultured rabbit lymphocytes

Using indirect immunofluorescence with a hyperimmune calf serum, a virus-induced antigen was demonstrated on the surface of lymphocytes expression intracellular malignant catarrhal fever virus antigens. Antibody to the antigen was also detected in terminal sera of both cattle and rabbits. Antisera did not restrict virus expression in explanted lymph nodes unless they were supplemented with two to four units of lytic complement per ml culture. While human, bovine and guinea pig complements caused immune lysis of infected lymphocytes, rabbit complement was ineffective. The relevance of the findings in the pathogenesis of the lymphoid proliferation caused by MCFV is discussed.

Quantification of an Epstein-Barr virus-associated membrane antigen component

A method is described for the preparation of a 125I-labelled membrane antigen (MA) component (gp340) from B95-8 cell membranes using sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Good yields of antigenic material were obtained when renaturation of the [125I]gp340 was carried out by removal of SDS in the presence of urea and subsequent removal of the urea. The availability of purified, radiolabelled gp340 has provided the essential basis for the development of a radioimmunoassay which, for the first time, permits quantification of this antigen. The assay has been used to demonstrate that cell membrane MA is a better source of gp340 for large-scale work than is the Epstein-Barr virus envelope and to measure the increase in expression of gp340 following treatment of cells with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA).

Epstein-Barr virus RNA. VIII. Viral RNA in permissively infected B95-8 cells

More than 50 RNAs expressed by Epstein-Barr virus late in productive infection have been identified. B95-8-infected cells were induced to a relatively high level of permissive infection with the tumor promotor 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Polyadenylated RNAs were extracted from the cell cytoplasm, separated by size on formaldehyde gels, transferred to nitrocellulose, and hybridized to labeled recombinant Epstein-Barr virus DNA fragments. Comparison of RNAs from induced cultures with RNAs from induced cultures also treated with phosphonoacetic acid to inhibit viral DNA synthesis identifies two RNA classes: a persistent early class of RNAs whose abundance is relatively resistant to viral DNA synthesis inhibition and a late class of RNAs whose abundance is relatively sensitive to viral DNA synthesis inhibition. The persistent early and late RNAs are not clustered but are intermixed and scattered through most of segments UL and US. The cytoplasmic polyadenylated RNAs expressed during latent infection were not detected in productively infected cells, indicating that different classes of viral RNA are associated with latent and productive infection. Non-polyadenylated small RNAs originally identified in cells latently infected with Epstein-Barr virus are expressed in greater abundance in productively infected cells and are part of the early RNA class.

Insulin binding to cultured B- and T-lymphocytes

Insulin receptors have been demonstrated on activated but not resting T-lymphocytes. We compared insulin binding to several T- and B-cell tissue culture lines transformed by either radiation or lymphotrophic Herpes virus. Two T-cell lines derived from mouse lymphomas, one T-cell derived from the cotton top marmoset and one mouse B-cell line bound, at most, 3% of a tracer dose of [125I]insulin. In contrast, positive B-cell line (1605 L) derived from a leukemic cotton top marmoset, bound 40% of tracer [125I]insulin. The binding was of high affinity (1.9 nM-1), displayed analogue specificity characteristic of the insulin receptor and receptor number per cell was 16,600. The data show that a transformed B-lymphocyte binds substantial levels of insulin. The magnitude of such expression might be related to the fact that this B-cell line also expresses Epstein-Barr virus.

Effects of activated T cells on natural killing

Two populations of human blood lymphocytes--one forming rosettes with sheep erythrocytes, the other non-rosetting--are cytolytic in vitro for several long term cultured tumour-derived cell lines. A particular breast cancer-derived target cell (MDA-157) is only killed by the non-rosetting effector. Rosetting cells from normal donors infected or immunized with influenza virus augment cytolytic activity on MDA-157 targets by non-rosetting effector cells. Similar augmenting activity can be induced by incubating the rosetting population with sources of immune (gamma), but not leucocyte (alpha) interferon in vitro. This augmentation of cytolytic activity does not require compatibility at the major histocompatibility locus between the augmenting and effector populations.

Insensitivity to interferon of NK cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Natural cytotoxicity (NK) by fresh E-rosette-negative (ER-) cells from normal donors was increased after overnight incubation with purified IFN alpha and with supernatants containing IFN gamma. ER- cells from 61% of 23 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus did not show increased cytotoxicity after treatment with IFN alpha. Similarly, ER- cells from nine of 18 patients that were treated with IFN gamma-containing supernatants failed to show increased cytotoxicity. The patients who did not show enhanced cytotoxic responses to IFN had higher mean indices of disease activity than responding patients.

Cytotoxic T cell recognition of Epstein-Barr virus-infected B cells. I. Specificity and HLA restriction of effector cells reactivated in vitro

The experiments show that the phenomenon of regression, seen exclusively in Epstein-Barr (EB) virus-infected cultures of mononuclear cells from EB virus antibody-positive donors, is mediated by cytotoxic T cells reactivated in vitro and specifically recognizing an EB virus-induced lymphocyte-detected membrane antigen LYDMA. Thus, effector T cells from regressing cultures kill autologous EB virus-transformed cells but not autologous pokeweed mitogen-stimulates lymphoblasts nor any of a range of EB virus genome-negative human hemopoietic cell lines (K562, HSB2, BJAB, EB4) particularly sensitive to nonspecific natural killer-like activities. Moreover, these reactivated effector cells exhibit classical HLA restriction of target cell recognition; in a survey of 14 effector cell donors, preferential lysis of the autologous virus-transformed line was a consistent feature, while the relative degree of lysis of allogeneic lines was in general directly related to the number of HLA-A and B antigens shared between effector and target cells. The pattern of reactivity shown by effector T cell preparations from any one donor was strikingly reproducible, and the results from a number of donors revealed differences between particular HLA-A and B antigens with respect to the level of EB virus-specific killing which was associated with sharing through these determinants.

Identification of an Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen by fluoroimmunoelectrophoresis and radioimmunoelectrophoresis

A 65,000-dalton (65K) antigen found in Raji cells by fluoroimmunoelectrophoresis and radioimmunoelectrophoresis has been identified as an Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen (EBNA). This identification is based on the following evidence. The 65K antigen is detected in Raji cells but not in three Epstein-Barr virus (-) human B cell lines. It is not detected with EBNA (-) sera. The 65K antigen is found predominantly in the nucleus and co-elutes with EBNA during partial purification by DNA-Sepharose and Blue Dextran-Sepharose chromatography. Finally, the partially purified 65K antigen is an effective absorbant of EBNA antibody as measured in an anticomplement immunofluorescence assay. Antigens with molecular weights of 72, 70, and 73K have been detected in B95-8, P3HR-1, and Namalwa cells, respectively. These antigens are the likely homologues of the 65K Raji EBNA. In addition, an Epstein-Barr virus-associated, 81K DNA-binding antigen has been detected in both B95-8 and Raji cells.

Reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus-specific cytotoxic T cells by in vitro stimulation with the autologous lymphoblastoid cell line

Unfractionated mononuclear (UM) cells and T cells freshly prepared from the blood of adult donors were co-cultivated in microtest plate wells with progressively lower numbers of cells from the autologous EB-virus-transformed B-cell line. The fresh cells present in co-cultures from EB virus antibody-negative (seronegative) donors regularly facilitated autologous cell line outgrowth, monitored after 4 weeks, whereas outgrowth was markedly inhibited in the corresponding co-cultures from seropositive donors. Larger-scale co-cultures, set up at a ratio of 80-100 fresh UM cells to one autologous virus-transformed B cell, were harvested after 8 to 12 days and the T-cell subpopulation was examined for cytotoxicity both by growth inhibition and by chromium release assays. Cytotoxic T cells were generated exclusively in seropositive donor co-cultures and were strongly active against the autologous virus-transformed cell line without affecting either autologous uninfected B cells or any of a range of EB virus genome-negative target cell lines chosen as sensitive indicators of non-specific cytotoxicity. Recognition of allogeneic EB-virus-transformed cells was restricted to those whose HLA-A and/or B and/or B and/or C antigen expression matched that of the effector cells themselves;; moreover target cell lysis was specifically inhibited in the presence of monoclonal antibodies binding to these HLA antigens. The results indicate that EB-virus-specific HLA-restricted memory T cells, present in the blood of previously-infected individuals, can be reactivated in vitro using the established autologous virus-transformed cell line as a stimulus. THe reactivated cytotoxic cells appear to recognize a virus-induced lymphocyte-detected membrane antigen, LYD-MA, analogous to that first invoked to explain the cytotoxic response to primary EB virus infection observed during infectious monoucleosis.

Separation of spontaneous-killing effector populations by target preference

Three populations active in human spontaneous cytotoxicity have been identified. Two of these are E-rosette positive, and differ in their adherence to nylon wool. The third is E-rosette negative. The E-rosette positive fraction which does not adhere to nylon consistently does not lyse a breast-cancer-derived target, MDA-157. When tested simultaneously on 4 other tumour target cells lines--Raji, Chang, K562 and Molt 4--however, all three populations are cytolytic. The MDA-157 target is consistently lysed by a nylon-adherent T-cell fraction, irrespective of whether the E rosettes are formed under optimal or the limiting conditions giving only "high-affinity" T cells. The observation that a given effector fraction can lyse one target but not another, whereas other fractions are cytolytic on both, implies that different targets may differentiate effector populations differing in their lytic mechanism.

IgM antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus-associated membrane antigen in sera of infectious mononucleosis patients

By the indirect immunofluorescence technique, IgM antibodies to the cell surface of an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) producer cell line, P3HR-1, were detected in sera from infectious mononucleosis (IM) patients but not in sera from patients with Burkitt lymphoma or nasopharyngeal carcinoma nor in sera from healthy adult donors having antibodies to EBV-specific viral capsid antigen (VCA). Titers of the IgM antibodies were higher in the earlier stages of IM, a pattern similar to that for IgM antibodies to VCA. The IgM antibodies to the cell surface were identified as being those against the EBV-specific membrane antigen (MA) by the following criteria: (1) The antibodies were reactive to MA-positive cell preparations but to MA-negative cell preparations. (2) Titers of the IgM antibodies were not significantly affected after absorption of sera with sheep red blood cells which could completely eliminate heterophil antibodies in the same sera. Detection of the IgM antibodies to MA may have a particular diagnostic value for providing evidence of a recent EBV infection.

Correlation between Epstein-Barr virus membrane antigen and three large cell surface glycoproteins

A correlation between Epstein-Barr virus membrane antigen (MA) and three surface glycoproteins has been established on the basis of radio-immunoprecipitation and immunoabsorption experiments. For radio-immunoprecipitation, Epstein-Barr virus-infected cells were radiolabeled either with neuraminidase-galactose oxidase tritiated borohydride, a procedure highly specific for surface glycoproteins, or with a general tritiated amino acid mixture. Intact cells were incubated with MA(-) or MA(+) human sera, washed free of unbound immunoglobulins, and then lysed with Nonidet P-40. The antigen-antibody complexes were bound to protein A-Sepharose and after elution with sodium dodecyl sulfate were analyzed by acrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate. MA(+) sera specifically precipitated three glycoproteins with molecular weights of 236,000, 212,000, and 141,000 from B95-8 cells induced with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbal-13-acetate (TPA) and from Raji cells superinfected with P3HR-1 virus. These glycoproteins were not detected on Epstein-Barr virus-negative Ramos cells treated with TPA or on B95-8 cells treated simultaneously with TPA and phosphonoacetic acid. Soybean lectin-Sepharose bound all three glycoproteins, and lectin-Sepharose-bound glycoproteins from TPA-induced P95-8 cells absorbed MA-specific antibody from MA(+) human sera. The data strongly suggest that either all three glycoproteins have MA determinants or they are part of a complex in which one or more of the components constitute the reactive antigen.

Epstein-Barr virus-induced membrane antigens: immunochemical characterization of Triton X-100 solubilized viral membrane antigens from EBV-superinfected Raji cells

In an attempt to qualitatively identify the membrane antigen (MA) complex induced by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection of lymphoblastoid cells, superinfected Raji cells were surface labelled with 125I by the lactoperoxidase method and solubilized with Triton X-100, then the 125I-labelled membrane proteins were precipitated by sera containing high antibody titers to MA. Analysis of these immune precipitates on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel eletrophoresis identified four major EBV-specific membrane proteins with molecular weights (mol. wt) of 280,000, 250,000, 170,000 and 90,000. Sera from patients with Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and infectious mononucleosis (IM) and from EBV-infected disease-free individuals showed differential patterns of reactivity to these antigens with some sera only recognizing three or less of the antigens. The results from invesigations with these sera also indicated that these major proteins were not related to EBV-induced viral capsid antigens (VCA) or the virus-associated early antigen (EA) complexes as defined by immunofluorescence. Metabolic labelling of EBV-infected Raji cells with [14C]glucosamine, followed by Triton X-100 solubilization and radioimmune precipitation, identified the 280,000, 250,000 and 90,000 components as glycoproteins. The lactoperoxidase-labelled 170,000 molecular weight component was not significantly glycosylated and, therefore, could not be categorized as a glycoprotein on the basis of this study. In addition, a glycoprotein with a mol. wt of 130,000 was identified by this approach which also appeared to be specified by EBV. The results from these investigations, therefore, indicated that the EBV-induced MA complex was composed of four major glycoproteins and one nonglycosylated high mol. wt protein.

Rapid subtyping of influenza A virus isolates by membrane fluorescence

During the winter of 1977-1978 three influenza A virus serotypes (A/Vic/3/75, A/Texas/1/77 [both H3N2], and A/USSR/90/77 [H1N1]) circulated in Denver, offering us the opportunity to apply fluorescent antibody techniques to the specific identification of these viruses. Surface antigens of infected, unfixed primary monkey kidney cells were stained in suspension by an indirect immunofluorescence technique with anti-H3N2 and anti-H1N1 antisera. In tests of cells infected with known viruses, the members of the H3N2 family could not be distinguished from one another, but were easily distinguished from H1N1 strains. A total of 101 hemadsorption-positive clinical specimens were evaluated over a 6-month period. Forty-five of 48 influenza A H3N2 and 24 of 29 H1N1 specimens confirmed by hemagglutination inhibition were correctly identified by membrane fluorescence of cultured cells, with no misidentifications among influenza strains and with 1 false positive among 24 non-influenza isolates. The average time to identification by this technique was 4 days compared to 7 days by hemagglutination inhibition. Live cell membrane fluorescence is a simple, rapid, and accurate method for identifying and grouping influenza A viruses.

Biochemical identification of primate lymphoid cell-surface glycoproteins

We have employed the galactose oxidase-tritiated sodium borohydride labelling method to examine the surface glycoproteins of cotton-topped marmoset and other primate cell lines either established from tumors or transformed in vitro by different lymphotropic herpesviruses. The labelled surface glycoproteins were separated on acrylamide gels in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and analyzed by fluorography. Our results indicate that (1) lymphocytes of the same class from different primate species are similar but can be distinguished; (2) T and B lymphocytes of the same species can be differentiated; (3) cotton-topped marmoset lymphocytes of the same class show marked similarities regardless of tumor or in vitro origin or virus used for transformation; (4) three cell lines established from different EBV-induced tumors of the same marmoset show essentially the same labelling pattern, supporting the hypothesis that they originated from a single clone.

Epstein-Barr virus-specific RNA. III. Mapping of DNA encoding viral RNA in restringent infection

Namalwa and Raji cells, originally obtained from a Burkitt tumor biopsy, grow as continuous cell lines in vitro and contain the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related nuclear antigen EBNA (B. M. Reedman and G. Klein, Int. J. Cancer 11:499-520, 1973) and RNA homologous to at least 17 and 30% of the EBV genome, respectively (S. D. Hayward and E. Kieff, J. Virol. 18:518-525, 1976; T. Orellana and E. Kieff, J. Virol. 22:321-330, 1977). The polyribosomal and polyadenylated [poly(A)+] RNA fractions of Namalwa and Raji cells are enriched for a class of viral RNA homologous to 5 to 7% of EBV DNA (Hayward and Kieff, J. Virol. 18:518-525, 1976; Orellana and Kieff, J. Virol. 22:321-330, 1977). The objective of the experiments described in this communication was to determine the location within the map of the EBV genome (D. Given and E. Kieff, J. Virol. 28:524-542, 1978) of the DNA which encodes the viral RNA in the poly(A)+ and non-polyadenylated [poly(A)-] RNA fractions of Namalwa cells. Hybridization of labeled DNA homologous to Namalwa poly(A)+ or poly(A)- RNA to blots containing EcoRI, Hsu I, or Hsu I/EcoRI double-cut fragments of EBV (B95-8) or (W91) DNA indicated that these RNAs are encoded by DNA contained primarily in the Hsu I A/EcoRI A and Hsu I B/EcoRI A fragments and, to a lesser extent, in other fragments of the EBV genome. Hybridizations of Namalwa poly(A)+ and poly(A)- RNA in solution to denatured labeled EcoRI A or B fragments, Hsu I A, B, or D fragments, and Hsu I A/EcoRI A or Bam I S fragments and of Raji polyribosomal poly(A)+ RNA to the EcoRI A fragment indicated that (i) Namalwa poly(A)+ RNA is encoded primarily by 6 x 10(5) daltons of a 2 x 10(6)-dalton segment of DNA, Bam I S, which is tandemly reiterated, approximately 10 times, in the Hsu I A/EcoRI A fragment and is encoded to a lesser extent by DNA in the Hsu I B, EcoRI B, and Hsu I D fragments. Raji polyribosomal poly(A)+ RNA is encoded by a similar fraction of the EcoRI A fragment as that which encodes Namalwa poly(A)+ RNA. (ii) The fraction of the Bam I S fragment homologous to Namalwa poly(A)- RNA is similar to the fraction homologous to Namalwa poly(A)+ RNA. However, Namalwa poly(A)- RNA is homologous to a larger fraction of the DNA in the Hsu I B, Hsu I D, and EcoRI B fragments.

Papain solubilization of the Epstein-Barr virus-induced membrane antigen

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced membrane antigen (MA) was successfully solubilized from the membranes of viable EBV-infected Raji cells by treatment with papain (5 to 6 U per 1 X 10(7) to 2 X 10(7) cells). The loss of MA from viable cells was monitored by membrane immunofluorescence and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Soluble MA was demonstrated in papain digests through inhibition of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and by inhibition of the binding of anti-MA antibodies to cells as detected by use of 125I-labeled staphylococcal protein A. Approximately 75% of the MA activity in the extracts was not sedimentable at 100,000 X g,, indicating that the majority of EBV MA activity that was released by this procedure was associated with small-molecular-weight material. Antiserum prepared from an owl monkey immunized with these papain extracts contained antibody to MA and neutralizing antibodies, but lacked detectable antibodies against viral capsid antigens and EBV-induced early antigens.