Activation of B lymphocytes by Epstein-Barr virus/CR2 receptor interaction

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects and transforms human B lymphocytes. The virus receptor was shown to be identical to the complement receptor CR2. The consequences of EBV/CR2 receptor interaction on B lymphocyte activation were analyzed by infection of B cells with the transforming (B95-8) and the nontransforming (P3HR1) virus strains and with UV-inactivated B95-8 virus. Similar to mitogens and antibodies against surface IgM and CR2 receptor, transforming and nontransforming EBV induced the release of leukocyte migration inhibitory factor (LIF). LIF production occurred early after infection and was not affected by irradiation of the B95-8 virus with doses of UV-light which prevented the expression of viral functions. B lymphocytes infected with UV-inactivated virus responded to T cell-derived B cell growth factors. The results demonstrate that binding of EBV to the CR2 receptor activates the B cells. Progression of the infected cells in the activation pathway required helper cell-derived factors or signals provided by the intact viral genome. The nontransforming P3HR1 virus induced a low level of RNA synthesis and increase of cell size and major histocompatibility complex class I antigen expression. Only the transforming virus induced expression of EBV nuclear antigens and cellular DNA synthesis.     

Differences in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) receptors expression on various human lymphoid targets and their significance to EBV-cell interaction

This study was aimed at quantitating, by means of fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS), EBV binding to different types of target cells, and at learning about a possible relation between EBV receptor density and the fate of cell-surface bound virus. We used fluoresceinated virus preparations of two strains of EBV (B95-8: lymphocyte transforming strain; P3HR-1: non-transforming strain) to analyze quantitatively the expression and density of EBV receptors on different human lymphoid cell lines and on B lymphocytes from both EBV-seropositive and -seronegative donors. FACS analysis was also used as a tool to approximate the cell surface area of the different lymphoid cells examined. Our results indicate that: (a) after accounting for the difference in cell surface dimensios, the fluorescence intensity of EBV-bound Raji (a B line) cells was three to four times higher per unit area than that of EBV-bound fresh B lymphocytes from an EBV-seropositive donor; (b) Molt-4 (a T line) cells bound about 21-fold less P3HR-1 EBV and 6-fold less B95-8 EBV than Raji cells per unit area; (c) B lymphocytes from EBV-seronegative adult donors bound only about one third as much virus as B cells from seropositive individuals; (d) two B lymphocyte sub-populations can be identified in the peripheral blood in regard to their ability to bind EBV, regardless of the EBV antibody status of the donor; (e) the EBV receptor on Molt-4 cells appears structurally different from the one found on Raji cells since EBV binding to Molt-4 cells was not blocked by a monoclonal antibody (OKB7) specific to the complement receptor (CR2). Further, in contrast to Raji cells, Molt-4 expressed a differential binding activity for each of the two EBV strains used. Taken together, the important differences observed in regard to EBV attachment to various targets also appear to relate to the fate of cell-surface bound virus: i.e., virus penetration might be determined, at least in part, by the density of EBV receptors on the target cell surface; thus the receptor density may play a major role in viral infection.     

Human B cell line deficient in the expression of B cell-specific glycoproteins (GP 27,35).

A human B lymphoid cell line, P3HR-1, expresses only low levels of the 27 000 and 35 000 mol.wt. B cell-specific glycoproteins (GP 27,35). Indirect antibody-binding and quantitative absorption tests with a xenoantiserum against the antigens showed that P3HR-1 cells have on their surface about 1% of the amount found on other human B lymphoblastoid cell lines. The deficit of the glycoproteins on the surface of P3HR-1 cells could be accounted for by a reduced rate of synthesis in these cells. A simple relationship between the reduced expression of GP 27,35 on P3HR-1 cells and their inability to bind Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or express complement receptors was excluded because other B lymphoid cells which expressed neither virus-binding sites nor complement receptor had normal amounts of GP 27,35 on their surface. However, antibodies against GP 27,35 could block the absorption of EBV by EBV receptor-positive B cells.     

Heterogeneity of Epstein-Barr virus. II. Induction of early antigens (EA) by complementation.

Cells of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-negative human B lymphoma lines BJA and Ramos were converted into EBV genome carriers by virus isolates from P3HR-1 and B 95-8 cells (Fresen and zur Hausen, 1976). Cloning of P3HR-1 virus-converted BJA cells resulted in clones with two different Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA) patterns: a faint granular EBNA staining and clones with a brilliant EBNA expression (Fresen et al., 1977). The latter always segregated EBNA-negative cells from which one EBNA-negative subclone (B1-28) was isolated. Induction of early antigens (EA) was studied by infecting parental lines (BJA and Ramos), converted lines (BJA-HR1K, BJA-B 95-8, Ramos-HR1K, Ramos-B 95-8), the BJA-HR1K clones A5 (faint granular EBNA expression) and B1-19 (brilliant EBNA expression), the EBNA-negative subclone B1-28, and Raji cells with EBV from P3HR-1 and B 95-8 cells, respectively. The following results were obtained: (1) EA induction by P3HR-1 virus is enhanced on the average 14-fold in EBV genome-harboring cells when compared to genome-negative lines. (2) B 95-8 virus induces EA only in P3HR-1 virus-converted cells and to a small extent also in Raji cells. A significant EA induction occurs in the A5 clone of BJA-HR1K, whereas the brilliantly EBNA-expressing B1-19 clone is not induced. B 95-8 virus-converted cells cannot be induced by B 95-8 virus. (3) EA induction following infection of EBV genome-carrying cells is directly proportional to the dilution of the infecting virus. In EBV genome-free cells, EA induction is reduced by the square of the dilution factor. These results imply that resident genomes complement superinfecting genomes in EA induction by EBV and that two different populations of genomes (present in P3HR-1 virus isolates) are required for EA induction following infection of B lymphoblasts.     

Induction of replication of Epstein-Barr virus DNA by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate. II. Inhibition by retinoic acid and 9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl) guanine

An Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-producing cell line (P3HR-1) is readily inducible for EBV DNA replication by the tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). The effects of an antiherpesvirus drug, Acyclovir (ACV) [9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)-guanine], and a tumor promoter antagonist, retinoic acid (RA), were tested on EBV DNA replication in P3HR-1 cells. The activation of P3HR-1 cells by TPA greatly stimulates [³H]thymidine incorporation into the viral DNA as determined by analysis on cesium chloride gradients. This effect is completely inhibited by RA. However, RA has no inhibitory effect on the spontaneously induced viral DNA replication that occurs in P3HR-1 cells not treated with TPA. In contrast, ACV inhibits both the spontaneously induced and TPA-induced EBV DNA replication. The discriminatory effect of ACV and RA on viral DNA replication in P3HR-1 cells is further demonstrated by cRNA-DNA hybridization with EBV-specific cRNA.     

Expression of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) receptor on the surface of cells infected with EBV derived from nasopharyngeal carcinoma

An Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome-positive epithelial hybrid cell line, NPC-KT, derived from the fusion of primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells with a human epithelial cell line of adenoid origin and a subline of EBV genome-positive Ramos cells, Ramos/NPC, converted after infection with NPC-KT EBV have been previously described (Takimoto et al., 1984; Takimoto et al., 1987). The NPC-KT cells produce virus (NPC virus) with both transforming and lytic properties. In this study, NPC-KT and Ramos/NPC cells were examined for the presence of the EBV receptor as measured by the capacity to absorb radio-labelled P3HR-1 and NPC viruses. It was determined that only P3HR-1 virus can attach to NPC-KT cells. Also, the relative concentration of NPC virus receptors on Ramos/NPC cells was found to be significantly reduced when compared to EBV genomenegative Ramos cells, whereas the relative concentration of receptors for P3HR-1 virus was similar to parental Ramos cells. The results suggest that there are differences at least in part of the receptors for P3HR-1 and NPC viruses.     

T cell activation induced by cross-linking CD3 and CD28 leads to silencing of Epstein-Barr virus/C3d receptor (CR2/CD21) gene and protein expression

Complement receptor II (CR2) also known as CD21 is the receptor for C3d on immune complexes. In humans it serves as a receptor for the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). CR2 is expressed on B cells and in low density in the T cell lineage. EBV can infect T cells and EBV-positive T lymphomas have been described. Although CR2 mRNA is readily detectable in T cells, the function of CR2 in human T lymphocytes remains elusive. Here we have analyzed the expression of CR2 in normal and activated T cells. PCR analyses and immunofluorescence/confocal microscopy of peripheral blood T cells and of activated T cells shows considerable reduction in CR2 mRNA and protein expression upon activation. The downregulation of CR2 expression may modulate life span or immunological reactivity of T cells and the susceptibility of cells to infection by lymphotropic viruses.     

Control of human B-lymphocyte replication. II. Transforming Epstein-Barr virus exploits three distinct viral signals to undermine three separate control points in B-cell growth.

Highly purified resting (Go) B lymphocytes were monitored for their response to transforming Epstein-Barr virus (B95-8 strain), to a non-transforming mutant (P3HR-1) containing a deletion in the EBNA-2 coding region, and to inactivated virus of either type. All preparations induced an early appearance of two activation antigens, which included the CD23,p45 ("Blast-2') antigen. Thus, virus binding was sufficient for an initial activation step. Further change required an active viral genome. Infection with the P3HR-1 strain prompted the exit of cells out of Go but led to an arrest in the early G1 phase of the cycle. While initially showing sequels to activation indistinguishable from those observed with P3HR-1 virus, cells infected with B95-8 virus continued through G1 to express late activation antigens, enter S-phase and complete the replicative cycle. The addition of the phorbol ester TPA was found to compensate for the abortive cell cycle entry achieved with the P3HR-1 mutant, but could not supplement the minimal activation observed with inactivated virus. These findings demonstrate that the Epstein-Barr virus undermines three separate control points in the growth cycle of human B lymphocytes, and exploits three distinct viral signals to achieve this end.     

Structure and signalling functions of C3 receptors on human B cells

CR1 (C3b receptor) and CR2 (C3d/EBV receptor) are two C3 receptors expressed on B lymphocytes. CR1 and CR2 have structural similarities and their cross-linking at the B cell surface by antibodies or specific ligands in multimeric forms induce B cell activation. However, activation of human B cells through cell surface interactions or by intracellular protein kinase C activators leads to phosphorylation of CR2 but not CR1. CR2 is phosphorylated on serine and tyrosine residues. Analysis of post-membrane events associated with CR2 revealed intracellular interactions of CR2 with p53, a plasma membrane anti-oncogene-encoded phosphoprotein, and with p120, a nuclear phosphoribonucleoprotein. These intracellular interactions probably represent important steps in the signalling functions of CR2.     

Expression of CRl and CR2 Complement Receptors following Epstein-Barr Virus Infection of Burkitt''s Lymphoma Cell Lines

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection of human B lymphocytes involves a specific receptor closely associated with, or identical to, the C3d complement receptor, CR2. Thus, 25 out of 29 EBV-positive Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell lines but none of 15 EBV-negative BL lines were found to express C3 receptors. Furthermore, in vitro infection with EBV of six EBV-negative cell lines resulted in the expression of C3 receptors in association with that of EBV-determined nuclear antigen (EBNA). Rosette assays using erythrocytes coated with human C3b, C3bi, and C3d, inhibition of rosette formation with anti-receptor antibodies, and flow cytometry analysis of stained cells demonstrated that EBV-converted lines expressed C3b and C3d receptors, CR1 and CR2. Anti-receptor antibodies recognized an average of 40,700 anti-CR1 and 140,000 anti-CR2 binding sites on an EBV-converted line (BL41/B95), whereas no specific binding occurred on the corresponding EBV-negative (BL41) cells. Because CR1 and CR2 are involved in B-cell proliferation and/or differentiation, enhanced expression of C3 receptors following the interaction between EBV and B cells and/or subsequent infection of the cells by EBV may provide a basis for positive control of B lymphocyte proliferation by EBV.     

Infection of mouse lymphocytes by Epstein-Barr virus. II. Stimulation of cellular DNA synthesis by EBV in the absence of EBNA induction and cell transformation

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) of the transforming and nontransforming strains induced transient stimulation of cellular DNA synthesis during lytic infection of normal mouse lymphocytes. In contrast to human B lymphocytes, the action of both EBV strains in mouse cells was additive. The nontransforming P3HR-1 virus had no cytotoxic effect on mouse lymphocytes. The EBV-infected, stimulated mouse lymphocytes did not express EB virus-determined nuclear antigen and do not grow into immortalized cell lines. The cells expressed EBV-determined early and virus capsid antigens. These results suggest that the stimulation of cellular DNA synthesis by EBV is independent of EBNA synthesis and cell transformation.     

Monoclonal antibody specific for capsid antigen of Epstein-Barr virus

A hybrid cell line (Cl-5l) producing an anti-capsid antibody was obtained by fusion of mouse myeloma cells with spleen cells from mice immunized with purified P3HR-1 Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Immunofluorescence showed that the Cl-5l antibody reacted with the cytoplasm and the nucleus of P3HR-1 and B95-8 cells, but not with Raji, BJAB, Molt-4, and superinfected Raji cells in the presence of cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C). The viable P3HR-1 and B95-8 cells were not stained nor was the viral infectivity neutralized. The Cl-5l antibody immunoprecipitated 123,000 and 120,000 dalton polypeptides of P3HR-1 and B95-8 cells, respectively, and both were sensitive to phosphonoacetic acid. Specific reactions were not evident with extracts of Raji cells and superinfected Raji cells in the presence of Ara-C. An analysis of the purified virus particles showed that this antibody recognized a capsid component of EBV.     

Induction of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) cycle in latently infected cells by n-butyrate.

n-Butyrate was found to increase the number of virus producer cells to a dramatic extent in the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-carrying P3HR-1 and B95-8 lines. Induction was also seen in the nonproducer Raji and the low producer Daudi lines, but at a mucch lower level. The virus containing supernatant of the butyrate treated P3HR-1 cells induced preferentially EBNA in EBV-negative Ramos target cells, whereas the spontaneously produced virus induced predominantly EA in Raji indicator cells. This suggests a possible difference in the biological properties of the butyrate induced vs the prototype virus. In addition to providing a convenient method to obtain a high yield of viral-DNA and virus antigen-producing cells in the severely restricted EBV system, the findings raise interesting questions on the mechanism of EBV induction, and its possible relationship to the known differentiation inducing ability of n-butyrate.     

Effects of cis-dichloro-diammine-platinum (II) (cis-DDP) on Epstein-Barr virus induction and cell differentiation

Morphological changes were induced by cis-dichlorodiammine platinum (II) (cis-DDP) in two Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transformed cell lines: the productive P3HR-1 and the nonproductive Raji cell line. In P3HR-1 cells cis-DDP induced synthesis of viral antigens, viral particles and morphological changes characteristic for virus replication. In Raji cells, the virus replicative cycle was not induced and virus-specific morphological changes were limited to the sporadic appereance of some very early alterations in cell morphology. However, in Raji cells, but not in P3HR-1 cells, up to 20 per cent of the cell population exhibited differentiation-related changes towards plasma cell morphology. The most advances stage of cell differentiation detected was classified as plasmablast. Cis-DDP also induced some changes associated with the cytostatic effect of the drug. In the treated cell population cytokinesis was inhibited and frequently multinuclear cells appeared; moreover, extensive degenerative changes were observed.     

Proliferation of resting B cells is modulated by CR2 and CR1

Absence of the third component of complement, C3, is associated with impaired ability to synthesize antibody, particularly in the presence of limiting antigen [1-9]. The mature B lymphocyte bearing the surface immunoglobulin receptor transduces signals for proliferation and differentiation upon binding of specific antigen. This mature B cell also bears two related membrane proteins, CR2 (the C3d/Epstein-Barr virus receptor) (CD35) [15], which can mediate the binding of ligands to which appropriate cleavage fragments of C3 have become attached [16]. It has been suggested that these receptors play a direct role(s) in B cell activation [17-25]. In light of previous in vivo observations we decided to assess the function of CR2 and CR1 in relation to B cell activation through the membrane IgM receptor. Highly purified splenic B cells were prepared. No contaminating T cells or macrophages were detected by flow cytometric analysis and no proliferative activity was present upon PHA or ConA stimulation of the purified cells. The B cells were separated into low (activated), medium (preactivated) and high density (resting) fractions by Percoll gradient density centrifugation [26]. The responses of the B cell subpopulations to various concentrations of anti mu (DA4.4 monoclonal antibody) [27] were examined for proliferation at 72 h and for IgM/IgG production at 7 days. Low density B cells were maximally stimulated and no concentration of anti-mu was effective in enhancing their responses. High density B cells proliferated to anti-mu in a concentration dependent manner. When substimulatory concentrations of anti-mu were employed, concomitant crosslinking of CR2 (with either of 2 distinct monoclonal antibodies HB-5 [28] or OKB7 [17]) resulted in a 45% enhancement of B cell proliferation above that observed by crosslinking of SIgM alone. In these studies, total IgM and IgG did not increase in the absence of T cells or T cell factors, indicating that terminal differentiation did not occur. In contrast, when a monoclonal antibody to CR1(44D) [29] was employed in an identical experiment, B cell proliferation was completely inhibited. Antibodies to CR2 or CR1 either alone or in crosslinked form did not enhance B cell proliferation. Immune complexes may crosslink the B cell surface in a manner analogous to our model when the immunoglobulin receptor and CR2 are simultaneously engaged. This activation signal may be particularly important in eliciting antibody responses when the quantity of specific antigen or the affinity for antigen is low. The marked inhibition of proliferation induced by CR1 suggests an alternate role for this receptor in modulation of B cell responses.     

Analysis of epstein-Barr virus (EBV) of P3HR-1: isolation of EBV with EBNA induction ability in human cord lymphocytes and without EA induction ability in Raji cells

A subline of P3HR-1 cells was isolated through a prolonged (over 1 year) propagation of the cells at a non-EBV-productive condition followed by cell cloning procedures. Cloned cells thus obtained, designated DHR1, produced EBV when brought back to the EBV-productive condition. Restriction enzyme analysis of the viral DNA revealed that DHR1 EBV is composed of an apparently homogeneous EBV population, and it displays a similar but not identical genome organization compared with HR-1 EBV. The characteristic biological properties of DHR1 EBV included the ability to induce EBV-associated nuclear antigen (EBNA) in human cord lymphocytes and the inability to induce EBV-associated early antigen (EA) in Raji cells. These are in striking contrast to the behavior of the parental HR-1 EBV. Thus, P3HR-1 cultures after a period of nonproductivity reinitiated the production of virus with an apparently homogeneous and unique population of EBV distinguishable from the original HR-1 virus.     

Changes in the expression of fc receptor produced by induction of Epstein-Barr virus in lymphoma cell lines

Induction of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the human lymphoma lines P₃HR-1, and Daudi by TPA (phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate), n-butyrate, and superinfection with P₃HR-1 virus is associated with an increase in the number of cells bearing Fc receptor (Fc-R). The number of Fc-R per cell, as measured by flow cytometry, is also increased in both cell lines after effective induction of EBV antigens. The increase in cells bearing Fc-R correlates with increased expression of the membrane antigen complex (MA). A high proportion of induced cells concomitantly express both Fc-R and MA in double fluorescence studies. Fc-R activity was not induced by these treatments in EBV-negative lines. After induction of B-95-8 cells (an EBV-transformed marmoset cell line), there is an increase both in MA and whole virus production; however, no Fc-R activity has been detected, suggesting that the B-95-8 EBV strain is incapable of inducing an Fc-R at the cell surface.     

CD21非依赖性EB病毒对人胃印戒细胞癌细胞系的感染

目的　探讨CD2 1非依赖性EB病毒 (EBV)对人胃印戒细胞癌细胞系 (HSC 39)的感染作用。方法　用Akata和P3HR 1EBV毒株感染HSC 39,有限稀释法对感染细胞进行克隆。结果　两种EBV毒株感染细胞中均可检测到EBV编码的小RNA(EBER)的表达 ,两种EBV毒株感染的亲代细胞及大多数细胞克隆表达EBV核抗原 (EBNA1) ,但不表达EBNA2、潜伏期膜蛋白 (LMP1)和LMP2A。表现为潜伏Ⅰ型感染。未感染的HSC 39细胞及P3HR 1感染的细胞克隆CD2 1表达阴性 ,而AkataEBV感染的部分细胞克隆CD2 1mRNA阳性。结论　EBV可能通过不依赖CD2 1受体的途径感染HSC 39,印戒细胞癌细胞系可用作EBV感染的靶细胞。