Catalogue of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) receptors on human malignant and non-malignant hematopoietic cell lines

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can induce a broad spectrum of hematological diseases, especially in immune deficient patients. We assayed for receptor for EBV (EBVR) using fluoresceinated viral particles on 44 human hematopoietic cell lines derived from patients with T, B, and non-T, non-B acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), non-lymphoid leukemia, Burkitt lymphoma, myeloma and several unique lines we and others have recently developed. All 31 EBV nuclear-associated antigen (EBNA) negative cell lines were of neoplastic origin. Seven of 13 EBNA-positive cell lines were of normal cell origin. Four of 25 non-B (surface immunoglobulin negative) EBNA-negative neoplastic cell lines were EBVR-positive. Three of six EBNA-negative B-cell (surface immunoglobulin positive) lines were EBVR-positive. Nine of 13 EBNA-positive Burkitt and non-Burkitt cell lines strongly expressed EBVR. Four EBNA-positive Burkitt lymphoma cell lines exhibited EBVR only to a limited degree. Studies of the cell lines for EBVR, complement receptors (CR) and surface immunoglobulin (SIg) revealed that presence of SIg does not obligate the presence of EBVR. Functional EBVR accompanied SIg among EBNA-negative cell lines. SIg-negative cell lines can possess EBVR. Fourteen of 16 EBVR-positive lines were also positive for CR. The EBVR assay is a useful tool for assessing the potential role of EBV in the induction of hematopoietic disorders.     

Induction of Epstein-Barr virus-associated nuclear antigen during in vitro transformation of human lymphoid cells.

Human lymphoid cells isolated from the peripheral blood of adults, from cord blood, and from fetal liver, spleen, bone marrow, and thymus were cultivated with or without a cell-free preparation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with demonstrated transforming activity. The cultures were examined for the EBV-associated nuclear antigen (EBNA) and for transfromation into permanent lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL). EBNA, seen only in cultures that had received exogenous EBV, was detected between days 1 and 6 after addition of EBV, most frequently on day 3. EBNA-positive cells had a lymphoblastoid appearance. Transformation into established LCL became apparent between days 12 and 19. The addition of pokeweed mitogen to cultures containing EBV enhanced the development of EBNA, whereas phytohemagglutinin or concanavalin A had no such effect. Neither EBNA nor transfomration was observed in lymphoid cells from fetal thymus. In fetal spleen, bone marrow, and liver cells, EBV regularly induced EBNA and LCL transformation.     

Establishment of EBNA-expressing cell lines by infection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-genome-negative human lymphoma cells with different EBV strains.

Cells of two EBNA (Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen)-negative human lymphoma cell lines, BJAB and RAMOS, were infected with two strains of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). In two different experiments, B95-8 virus-infected BJAB cells revealed a gradually increasing number of EBNA-positive cells. Twenty weeks after infection almost 100% of the cell population expressed this antigen. In contrast, it has not so far been possible to convert RAMOS cells into an EBNA-positive cell line. The initial proportion of 35% EBNA-positive cells declined to about 10% 20 weeks after infection. The development of EBNA-positive multinuclear giant cells was a characteristic feature of infection with B95-8 virus. EA (early antigen) and VCA (virus capsid antigen) appeared in less than 0.1% of the cell population after induction with IUdR only. Infection of BJAB and RAMOS cells with P3HR-1 virus finally resulted in both cases in EBNA-positive lines. In contrast to B95-8 virus, the number of EBNA-positive lines. In contrast to B95-8 virus, the number of EBNA-positive cells remained below 1% during the first 6 to 8 weeks. A sudden increase occurred thereafter, bringing the number of EBNA-expressing cells to almost 100% within the following 4 weeks. During this period, BJAB but not RAMOS cells revealed a small number of EA- as well as VCA-positive cells (less than 0.1%). Thus, reinfection by spontaneously released virus may explain the sudden increase in EBNA-positive BJAB cells. Two distinct patterns of EBNA staining in P3HR-1 virus-infected cells were observed. They may suggest a genetic heterogeneity of this virus preparation.     

Transformation of lymphocytes by Herpesvirus papio.

Cotton-topped (CT) or white-lipped (WL) marmoset lymphocytes were transformed in vitro with herpesvirus papio (HVP) into permanently growing lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL). Five of 9 HVP-transformed CT cell lines contained cells with antigens reacting with antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) capsid antigen (VCA) and/or to EBV-induced early antigens (EA). None of 12 WL LCL revealed such antigen-producing cells. Cells from both groups of cultures failed to react with antibodies to the EBV-specified nuclear antigen (EBNA). Exposure of baboon circulating lymphocytes to X-irradiated HVP or EBV-carring cells, or to suspensions of EBV resulted in establishment of LCL which all contained VCA and/or EA-positive, but no EBNA-positive cells. Nuclear antigens were undetectable also with anti-VCA-positive sera from baboons, chimpanzees, or other non-human primates. DNA-complementary RNA (cRNA) filter hybridization with EBV cRNA showed that with one exception transformed CT or WL marmoset cells contained at least 1-2 virus genome equivalents per cell, while at least 12-25 virus genome equivalents per cell were detected in transformed baboon cells. These data need confirmation by DNA-DNA reassociation kinetics.     

EB Virus-associated nuclear antigen production and cell proliferation in adult peripheral blood leukocytes inoculated with the QIMR-WIL strain of EB virus.

A nuclear antigen, apparently the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated nuclear antigen (EBNA), was detected by anticomplement immunofluorescence (ACIF) tests in adult peripheral blood leukocytes infected with the QIMR-WIL strain of EBV. EBNA was not detectable at 24 h but appeared in about 11% of the cells by 3 days, and by 5 days up to 64% of the cells were positive. Proliferation of EBNA-positive cells at this stage was confirmed by autoradiography. There was a good correlation between the concentration of virus and the number of EBNA-positive cells in the first 5-7 days. The subsequent course of events was found to be influenced by the initial cell concentration and the time of subculture. EBNA production was delayed in cells infected with higher dilutions of virus but subsequently appeared in a high proportion of cells. Indirect immunofluorescence failed to detect viral capsid antigen (VCA) or early antigen (EA) by 10 days. The results show that EBV infection was abortive and that the critical events of viral transformation occurred within the first few days.     

Production by EBV infection of an EBNA-positive subline from an EBNA-negative human lymphoma cell line without detectable EBV DNA.

A continuous lymphoma cell line, BJAB, derived from the tumour of an exceptional African case of Burkitt's lymphoma, has previously been described. Unlike 97% of African BL cases studied, neither the original tumour cells nor the cell line contained detectable amounts of EBV (Epstein-Barr virus) DNA, nor did they express the EBV-determined nuclear antigen EBNA. The cells of the established line had the characteristics of B-type lymphocytes and they carried receptors for EBV. EBNA was induced in the majority of BJAB cells after EBV infection. Usually the cells died within 10 days of infection, but it was possible to establish a permanent EBNA-positive variant (GC-BJAB) of BJAB. The patient from whose tumour the original BJAB line was established was seropositive for EBV antigens, indicating previous exposure to and continuing presence of the virus; yet the tumour had not become infected by EBV. This evidence shows that EBV is not readily "picked up" by the lymphoma.     

Some aspects of immunological and cytochemical markers in leukemia

Summary The value of immunological and of cytochemical markers for understanding of pathophysiology and for diagnosis in different subtypes of leukemia is discussed.Abbreviations used in this paper AML Acute myeloid leukemia - AMoL acute monocytoid leukemia - ALL acute lymphoid leukemia - ANAE acid -naphtyl acetate esterase - APh acid phosphatase - B-ALL (-CPL,-CLL) B-lymphoid acute (prolymphocytic, chronic) leukemia - C-Ag membrane antigen of common ALL - C-ALL common ALL whose cells react with a specifically absorbed antiserum against ALL of non-T, non-B variety - CLL chronic lymphoid leukemia - CPL chronic prolymphocytic leukemia - E rosettes with sheep erythrocytes - Ia immune response antigen - M-Ag myeloid antigen - POX peroxidase - SmIG surface membrane Ig - T-Ag T-lymphocyte antigen - T-ALL (-CPL,-CLL) T-lymphocyte antigen-positive acute (prolymphocytic chronic) lymphatic leukemia - TdT terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase - UAL undifferentiated acute leukemia     

Immunofluorescence and anti-complement immunofluorescence absorption tests for quantitation of Epstein-Barr virus-associated antigens.

Immunofluorescence absorption methods are described which permit quantitative estimation and differentiation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated antigens (virus capsid antigen, VCA, early antigen, EA and EBV-determined nuclear antigen, EBNA) in cell extracts. EBNA was present in all cell lines (producer and non-producer) which carried the EBV-genome, while VCA and EA were present in producer lines only. All the antigens were absent from a lymphoid cell line (MOLT-4) which lacked the EBV-genome, as well as from leukemia cells from peripheral blood. The techniques demonstrated antigenic identity of the various antigens when prepared from different cell lines.     

Lymphoblastoid transformation and kinetics of appearance of viral nuclear antigen (EBNA) in cord-blood lymphocytes infected by Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).

Human cord-blood lymphocytes were infected with B95.8 Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) before and after separation into B- and T-cell populations. Lymphoblastoid cells exhibiting B-cell characteristics appeared after 2 to 3 days of culture in the total population and in the separated B-cell subpopulation but not in the T-cell subpopulation. EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) was detected concurrently with the appearance of lymphoblastoid cells. The proportion of EBNA-positive cells corresponded to that of lymphoblastoid cells, and reached 50% after 4 days. EBNA was present only in cells with B-cell markers. These observations indicate that only B-cells are susceptible to EBV infection, that the transformation occurs within a few days and that EBNA is a valid early marker for susceptibility to EBV transformation.     

Stable transfection of a human lymphoma line by sub-genomic fragments of Epstein-Barr virus DNA to measure humoral and cellular immunity to the corresponding proteins

An Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-negative human lymphoid B-cell line, DG75, was stably transfected with recombinant selection vectors that carry a subfragment of the BamHI WYH region (nucleotides 44664 to 50628), the BamHI K fragment, or a subfragment of the EcoRI D region (nucleotides 166614 to 170149) of B95-8 EBV DNA. These fragments contain the coding exons for the EBV-determined nuclear antigens EBNA2 and EBNA1, and the membrane antigen LMP, respectively. Antigen expression of the cells was detected by immunofluorescence. EBNA2 was expressed in 80–100% of the transfected cells, in contrast to EBNA1 which was expressed in only 25%, and LMP in only about 5% of the cells. Humoral antibody responses were measured by immunofluorescence and compared to cellular immunity as determined by the leukocyte migration inhibition (LM1) technique. Extracts from transfected cell lines expressing EBNA1, EBNA2 or LMP elicited an LMI response with cells from healthy EBV-seropositive individuals whereas the extract from the parental DG75 cell line did not, The results demonstrate the value of stably transfected cell lines expressing a defined EBV antigen for the monospecific analysis of host responses to the EBV-encoded antigen complex in growth-transformed cells.     

Induction of EBNA precedes the first cellular S-phase after EBV-infection of human lymphocytes.

Using a combination of immunofluorescence and autoradiography, we studied the appearance of EBNA and DNA synthesis in cord-blood lymphocytes after infection with EBV derived from the B95-8 cell line. EBNA appeared between 12 and 25 h after addition of the virus. DNA synthesis was detected in EBNA-positive cells approximately 20 h after the appearance of EBNA. This shows that EBNA induction precedes the first cellular S-phase and suggests that the cells have not yet entered the cell-division cycle when EBNA appears. Little, if any, of the total DNA synthesis induced at this stage can be attributed to EBV-mediated immunologic stimulation.     

Biologic and antigenic characteristics of Epstein-Barr virus-related Herpesviruses of chimpanzees and baboons.

Leukocyte-transforming agents were isolated in baboon leukocytes inoculated with oral excretions from immunosuppressed chimpanzees. The transformed lymphoblasts had B cell surface markers and harbored herpes-type virus particles; 5-10% of the cells contained cytoplasmic antigens reactive with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-antibody-positive chimpanzee, human and baboon sera. These sera also neutralized the transforming activity of the chimpanzee virus. Long-term lymphoid cell lines were established from circulating lymphocytes of normal baboons: two from Papio cynocephalus and three from P. hamadryas. The cells had B cell surface markers, contained herpes-type virus particles and produced virus with leukocyte-transforming activity. No virus-associated nuclear antigen was detectable with reference baboon and chimpanzee sera; however, the cells reacted with selected human sera containing antibodies to EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA). Absorption experiments confirmed the specificity of this reaction. Baboon lymphoblasts produced baboon virus-associated soluble complement-fixing (CF/S) antigen. Baboon sera had CF antibodies to viral (CF/V) antigen derived from EBV but failed to react with EBV-associated CF/S antigen. Chimpanzee and baboon herpesviruses had similar in vitro host cell ranges but were different from those of EBV. Inoculation of baboons, rhesus monkeys and cottontop marmosets failed to produce detectable illness or palpable tumors.     

Heterogeneity of Epstein-Barr virus derived from P3HR-1 cells.

Infection of cells of the EBV-free human B-lymphoma lines BJAB and Ramos resulted in conversion of these cells to EBV-genome carriers expressing EBNA. EBV isolates from P3HR-1 cells induced a heterogeneous EBNA pattern: both a faintly granular pattern and brilliant EBNA-expression were observed. The two types of EBNA-expressing cells could be separated upon cloning. Brilliantly EBNA-expressing cells always segregated varying percentages of EBNA-negative cells. An EBNA-negative subclone derived from these cells was devoid of detectable EBV DNA. Nucleic acid hybridization experiments failed to reveal a correlation between the intensity of EBNA expression and the number of EBV genome equivalents per cell. EBV genome-containing cells had an average of 14-fold more cells showing EA synthesis after superinfection by P3HR-1 virus, when compared with EBNA-negative cells infected under identical conditions. Studies on the kinetics of EA induction in EBNA-positive and EBNA-negative cells indicate that complementation is required for the induction of EA after superinfection.     

An EBV genome carrying pre-B cell leukemia in a homosexual man with characteristic karyotype and impaired EBV-specific immunity

A Burkitt-like lymphoma/leukemia confined to bone marrow was detected in a human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV)-III/LAV- and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-seropositive homosexual man. The tumor cells were EBNA-positive and contained at least 22 EBV genomes per cell. They were totally immunoglobin negative, but showed other markers for B cells detected with monoclonal antibodies. The patient had an impaired cellular immunity to EBV antigens and EBV-infected cells at diagnosis, but these reactions normalized during treatment. Cell clones derived from the bone marrow tumor in vitro also carried EBV and had six different marker chromosomes, including the typical 14q+ chromosome and a t(8 - ;8), which resulted in trisomy for the largest part of 8q. Partial trisomy for 12q was also observed. The patient completed six courses of combination chemotherapy and remains in excellent health after 34 months of follow-up.     

Transfer of human chronic lymphocytic leukemia to mice with severe combined immune deficiency.

B chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells were transferred into mice with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Leukemia cells injected into the peritoneal cavity of these animals may survive for at least 10 weeks in vivo. In contrast, leukemia cells do not survive for long periods when injected intravenously. Despite the longevity of CLL cells injected i.p., these cells apparently do not migrate to other lymphoid tissues. Eight to sixteen weeks after receiving CLL cells, SCID mice develop human IgG autoantibodies to human red blood cells and/or high serum levels of human Ig. Soon thereafter, these animals develop lethal human B-cell tumors. In contrast to the original CLL cells, these human B-cell tumors are CD5-negative, have genomic DNA of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), express antigens associated with latent EBV infection and have distinctive Ig gene rearrangements by Southern. We conclude that bystander B cells may generate tumors in CLL-reconstituted SCID mice that emulate the EBV-associated lymphoproliferations noted in SCID mice reconstituted with normal human PBL.     

Restrictions upon Epstein-Barr virus infection of the leukemic cell are demonstrated in patients with hairy cell leukemia

We tested the hypothesis that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) might actually infect leukemic hairy cells in vivo by examining those cells for the EBV-receptor, EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) and membrane antigen (MA), for spontaneous transformation and rescue of infectious virus and for presence of EBV genome. EBV-receptors were found on subpopulations of leukemic cells from each of 7 patients with hairy cell leukemia (HCL) tested. MA was present on low numbers (1-5 per cent) of fresh leukemic cells of 7 patients and in some instances occurred with a greater frequency after 3 to 5 days in culture, with or without 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. In 11 fresh leukemic cell preparations from 8 HCL patients, no EBNA was demonstrated. However, 2 samples after 4 days in culture expressed low frequencies of EBNA-positive cells. Spontaneous, EBV-positive cell lines were established with a high transformation efficiency from 3 HCL blood samples but not from 8 other specimens. Infectious EBV could be rescued from some hairy leukemic cell preparations by co-cultivation with cord blood lymphocytes. These results demonstrated that leukemic cell populations harbored infectious EBV, that the leukemic cells expressed virus receptors and suggested that a small subpopulation of leukemic cells might become infected in vivo at least transiently and possibly transformed in vitro by EBV. To test for the extent of occult in vivo infection of leukemic cells with EBV, Southern type hybridization studies were performed with a probe for EBV genome (Bam HI W). At a sensitivity level of 0.1 genome per cell, EBV genome was not detected in the leukemic cell populations of 7 patients. We conclude that host defence mechanisms protecting these individuals from EBV also prevent infections of the leukemic cell and/or most hairy leukemic cells are not suitable targets for both infection and transformation.     

Activation and immortalization of leukaemic B cells by Epstein-Barr virus

We have studied the responses of chronic leukaemic B cells to infection by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Our results define one population of B lymphocytes, represented by prolymphocytic leukaemic (PLL) cells, which are highly susceptible to immortalization by EBV. Another B-cell type, represented by chronic lymphocytic leukaemic (CLL) cells, can be readily infected by the virus but is resistant to immortalization. Comparative studies of viral and cellular related events early after infection in these 2 cell types reveal that both express the EB viral nuclear antigen (EBNA) complex, but the immortalization-resistant CLL cells fail to express the latent membrane protein (LMP), which can be detected in PLL cells 48 hr after infection. Circularization of the linear viral genome could be detected at 7 days post infection in the PLL cells, but only in 2 out of 4 CLL cells tested. Both CLL and PLL cells show increased surface expression of CD23 and HLA-DR molecules after infection but, whereas PLL cells show an increase in size, together with RNA and DNA synthesis indicative of cell cycle progression, CLL cells appear to be arrested in the G1/S phase of the cycle. The results suggest that the outcome of infection by EBV is determined by the nature of the target cell rather than by random virus-related events. The correlation between the block in immortalization of CLL cells and their failure to express LMP suggests that expression of this protein is essential for in vitro immortalization of B cells. The failure to detect circularization in some EBV-infected CLL cells suggests that this, as well as LMP expression, may be dependent on prior activation of the B cell by EBV, an event which may vary between the different CLL samples tested.     

Segregation of the EBV-determined nuclear antigen (EBNA) in somatic cell hybrids derived from the fusion of a mouse fibroblast and a human Burkitt lymphoma line

Four independently derived hybrids between the mouse fibroblast line A9 and the human, Burkitt-lymphoma-derived lymphoblastoid cell line Daudi were studied for the presence of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome, the EBV-determined nuclear antigen (EBNA), other EBV-associated antigens, human surface immunoglobulin and the presence of human chromosomes. The four lines differed in the number of their EBV genomes. There was a parallelism between this number, as detected by c/RNA/DNA hybridization, and the frequency of EBNA-positive nuclei. None of the other EBV-antigens, EA, VCA or MA, was expressed at any time, either in the untreated hybrid cells or after IUDR-treatment. The hybrids did not carry detectable surface-associated immunoglobulin or EBV-receptors. The presence of the EBV genome was coincident with the maintenance of human chromosomes, but the hybrids that have lost detectable viral genomes and EBNA still contained a considerable number of human chromosomes, suggesting that the viral genome may be associated with a few chromosomes only.     

Epstein-Barr virus infection and chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a possible progression factor?

Epstein-Barr virus is pathogenically associated with a well defined group of lymphoid and epithelial tumors in which the virus directly drives transformation of infected cells. Recent evidence however indicates that this virus may infect a subpopulation of tumor cells in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and EBV infection has been also associated with Richter transformation in a fraction of cases. We herein review available data suggesting a possible role of EBV as a direct or micro-environmental progression factor in a subset of CLL.