Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1988. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
B-CELL ABNORMALITIES IN AIDS: ROLE OF HIV AND EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS
AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, and other Manifestations of HIV Infection. Wormser GP et al, eds. Park Ridge, NJ, Noyes Publications, p. 347-66, 1987.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/88647004 Volsky DJ; Lai PK; Molecular Biology Lab., Univ. of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha,; NE
Abstract:
The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is characterized by severe abnormalities at virtually every level of the immune system, including defects in T lymphocyte function, altered B cell and monocyte activity, and various abnormalities of humoral immunity. B-cell abnormalities in AIDS-related conditions, and the roles of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are discussed. Pathological features associated with abnormal function, regulation, or control of B lymphocytes in AIDS include elevated serum Ig levels, increased spontaneous Ig secretion by individual B cells (polyclonal B-cell activation), increased level of circulating immune complexes, decreased de novo antigen response, increased spontaneous proliferation and differentiation, increased titer of anti-EBV antibodies, increased proportion of EBV-positive cells in peripheral blood, and high incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The authors propose a mechanism for the maintenance of chronic infection by HIV that provides an explanation for the long-term persistence of HIV with continuing dissemination of the virus into helper T lymphocytes, and the gradual increase in EBV-driven B-cell lymphoproliferation, immunoglobulin secretion, and lymphoma. This hypothesis involves the primary infection of T4 lymphocytes with HIV, HIV infection of proliferating EBV-infected B cells, and infection of newly generated helper T lymphocytes by HIV present in the B cells. B-cell hyperplasia contributes to the lymphadenopathy syndrome and intestinal lymphoproliferative disease, and not rarely evolves into B-cell malignancies, often of the EBV-related Burkitt's lymphoma type. Many of the B-cell abnormalities in AIDS are caused by primary and reactivated EBV infection. HIV may contribute directly to polyclonal B-cell activation and B-lymphoproliferative disease. Molecular interaction between HIV and EBV in B cells could aggravate the effects of each virus separately. (84 Refs)
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*IMMUNOLOGY Antibody Formation AIDS-Related Complex/IMMUNOLOGY B-Lymphocytes/*IMMUNOLOGY Herpesvirus 4, Human/*IMMUNOLOGY Human HIV/*IMMUNOLOGY Opportunistic Infections/IMMUNOLOGY T-Lymphocytes/IMMUNOLOGY MONOGRAPH REVIEW REVIEW, TUTORIAL
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Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1988. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
