Infection of human B lymphoma cells by Mycoplasma fermentans induces interaction of its elongation factor with the intracytoplasmic domain of Epstein‐Barr virus receptor (gp140, EBV/C3dR, CR2, CD21)

Human cell lines are often infected by mycoplama strains. We have demonstrated that when infected by Mycoplasma fermentans , human B lymphoma cell proliferation increased strongly. These infected B cells expressed a p45 kDa protein which interacted with the intracellular domain of CD21, the EBV/C3d receptor. p45 analysis demonstrated that this is a new gene which encodes an elongation factor originating from Mycoplasma fermentans . p45 interaction with CD21 was specific, there being no interaction with CD19. This is the first demonstration that Mycoplasma fermentans , in infecting human B cells, generates a p45 Mycoplasma component that interacts with CD21, which is involved in B cell proliferation.