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T-Cell Response to B-Cells and Epstein-Barr Virus Antigens in Infectious Mononucleosis¹

Department of Tumor Biology, Karolinska Institutet, S-104 01 Stockholm, Sweden

After Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in vivo, B-cells with latent virus infection persist indefinitely through life. These cells grow in vitro on explantation and can be established as immortal B-cell lines.

To reconcile the unlimited growth potential in vitro with the maintenance of a low proportion of B-cells infected by EBV in vivo, a strict in vivo control mechanism has to be postulated. Certain aspects of this control are apparent when the primary infection is followed by infectious mononucleosis. This is characterized by lymphocytosis and the presence of activated T-cells. The T-cell proliferation is probably the manifestation of the immune response against EBV antigens. However, the reaction of T-cells upon encounter of B-blasts is also likely to contribute to the events. At present, it is difficult to detect an EBV-specific component in the action of the T-cells in the acute phase of mononucleosis exerted on B-cells. However, for the clinical course of the disease the activation of T-cells is important. The activated T-cells may control and also eliminate the B-cells infected by EBV. In addition to the immunity which develops during the disease, the immunoregulatory mechanism is likely to have a role in the inhibition of B-cell proliferation.

¹ This project was supported by Contract No. NO1 CP 33316 to Dr. G. Klein from the Division of Cancer Cause and Prevention, National Cancer Institute, and by the Swedish Cancer Society.

² Recipient of Grant 5 R01 CA 25250-02 awarded by the National Cancer Institute.

³ Recipient of a fellowship from the Blanceflor Boncompagni-Ludovici Foundation, Stockholm, Sweden.

⁴ Recipient of the Guest Scholarship of the Swedish Institute, on leave from the Second Department of Paediatrics, Semmelweis Medical University, Budapest, Hungary.

⁵ Recipient of a fellowship from the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.

Received 1/ 5/81. Accepted 6/23/81.