Epstein-Barr virus-transformed human B lymphocytes endocytose autologous and heterologous red blood cells

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B lymphocytes, either isolated from a patient with EBV-induced infectious mononucleosis or obtained by in vitro infection of B lymphocytes of donors in different clinical conditions, have been tested for the ability to endocytose particulate forms of antigens, such as human, sheep or mouse red blood cells. By light and electron microscopy, it has been found that EBV-transformed B cells are able to bind and internalize human autologous and allogeneic erythrocytes, as well as sheep and mouse erythrocytes, independent of the specificity of the secreted immunoglobulins. The ability of EBV-transformed B lymphocytes to endocytose and process particulate forms of autoantigens during infectious mononucleosis might have a role both in the production of heterophile antibodies and in EBV-induced autoimmunity.